Mourners bid Skyler Kauffman goodbye
Dressed in black and speaking in hushed voices, mourners from Bucks and Montgomery County gathered this morning to bid good-bye to 9-year-old Skyler Kauffman, killed last Monday in the basement of her apartment building. A 24-year-old neighbor has been charged in her death.
Dressed in black and speaking in hushed voices, mourners from Bucks and Montgomery County gathered this morning to bid good-bye to 9-year-old Skyler Kauffman.
An hour before funeral services were to begin, friends, family and neighbors of the little girl came in a steady stream to Calvary Church, a non-denominational church on Souderton Road in Hilltown, Bucks County.
Pastor Jay Desko said Sunday that the church was chosen to hold the services because it has a large auditorium.
The service was to be a collaboration among various churches from the community, Desko said. The Kauffman family did not attend Calvary Church.
"We're thankful that all of us can play a small part in trying to help a family grieve," Desko said. "We're trying to give them a sacred moment."
Skyler Kauffman, a third grader at E.M. Crouthamel Elementary School, was sexually assaulted and killed Monday in the basement of her apartment building. James Lee Troutman, a 24-year-old neighbor has been charged in her death.
The 11 a.m. service at Calvary Church brought school children who were excused from classes to attend. One little girl, a classmate of Skyler's attended with her father. He said she had drawn a picture this week for Skyler that said: "Welcome to heaven."
The little girl and her father said there were 18 children in Skyler's class, making it a welcoming place.
A Girl Scout leader who appeared early decorated with badges said she remembered Skyler as a child active in the North Penn girl scouts for years. She also was a dancer and softball player, the leader said.
The funeral was tightly-controlled by pastors and security personnel who roamed the large building housing the auditorium, keeping reporters from approaching mourners. No videotaping or photos were permitted in the church building.
Skyler's casket, a regulation-sized pink coffin, was chosen to hold the little girl's favorite possessions, a funeral director said.
Contact staff writer Bonnie L. Cook at 610-313-8232 or bcook@phillynews.com