GoFundMe Pages Started After Drowning Deaths Of Wheaton College Football Teammates

WHEATON, IL — GoFundMe pages have been started to support the families of Philip Lochirco, 24, and Jalen Shaffer, 26, former Wheaton College football players who drowned in Lake Michigan Saturday.

The men were with a group of people at a pier in Ottawa County, Michigan, when Lochirco and others jumped into the water. Lochirco was seen struggling shortly after, prompting Shaffer and "several other people" to enter the water to try to help him, per a news release.

Lochrico drowned and Shaffer drowned amid the rescue efforts.

The GoFundMe for Lochirco aims to raise funds to help support his wife, Emily, with funeral costs and living expenses.

Per the fundraiser's description, "Phil played football at Wheaton and loved coaching high school football. He was a phenomenal teammate and great coach. His love for the game touched many lives, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him."

As of Thursday, Lochirco's GoFundMe had raised more than $76,000.

A GoFundMe started in Shaffer's memory will help support his parents with funeral and living expenses.

"The last thing the Shaffer's should be worried about is finances during this time," the GoFundMe page states.

"If you know the Shaffer family, you know that they are generous servants of the Lord," the fundraising page said. "It is now our turn as their family, friends, and community to come around and support them during this incredible tragic time in their lives with the unexpected loss of their son, brother, nephew, and grandson, Jalen."

The GoFundMe for Shaffer's family had raised more than $52,000 as of Thursday.