One more goodbye

Friends, family and those who knew Jill Behrman will come together at 10:30 a.m. Saturday to celebrate her life at the First United Methodist Church, 219 E. 4th St. The service will be conducted by Rev. Howard Boles, who currently serves as a senior pastor at Roberts Park United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. The May 31 service marks the third anniversary of Behrman's disappearance while bicycling just south of Bloomington. \nThe Behrman family said they extend their gratitude to everyone who has volunteered their time to events honoring Jill Behrman and will greet friends and family after the service in the church's hall.\n"Throughout the nearly three years since Jill's disappearance, we have received the support of family, close friends, neighbors, colleagues, the community and beyond," Eric and Marilyn Behrman, Jill Behrman's parents, said in a statement.\nJill Behrman, who was 19 at the time of her disappearance, was a member of deCycles Indiana and Monroe County YMCA, as well as an employee at the Student Recreational Sports Center, McDonald's at Read Center, IU Athletic Outfitters and Hoosiers for Higher Education. She was a 1999 graduate of Bloomington High School South, where she played volleyball and ran track.\nThe Behrman family has requested that in place of flowers, guests make donations to local non-profit agencies to honor Jill. These organizations include the First United Methodist Church's Behrman scholarship fund, the Jill Behrman Emerging Leadership Scholarship fund at the IU Foundation, or Jill's House, Inc., a temporary residence for patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute.\n"We felt that although flowers are nice, so many people and organizations helped us honor Jill's memory, and we should in turn take the opportunity to help others who are in need," Eric Behrman said.\nOrganized by Peg and Bud Howard, close friends of the Behrman's, Jill's House, Inc. provides a temporary, home-like residence for patients undergoing outpatient therapy at the IU Proton Therapy facility. Proton therapy, a type of cancer treatment, delivers high doses of radiation treatment to a tumor without destroying or affecting healthy tissue around the tumor.\n"We thought this was the way to show support to the Behrman family," Peg Howard, president of Jill's House, said. "We know how difficult it is to lose a child, and we felt this organization would really speak in large volumes." \nWhen Jill's House opens in March 2004, it will be equipped with all the comforts of a home, including a kitchen, bedrooms and laundry facilities. Professional staff will provide comfort, healing and medical assistance to the guests.\n"I think the organization would delight Jill tremendously, because she was a very compassionate and warm-hearted person," Peg Howard said. "She cared so much about people and would be pleased to have her name on this cause, which will have a long-lasting legacy."\nPeg Howard said while insurance companies pay for proton therapy, they often fail to cover the cost of transportation, lodging, laundry and food. She estimates the cost for a parent and child to stay in Bloomington for the duration of the treatment is $6,000 to $8,000. By offering free food and lodging, Jill's House will make proton therapy available to everyone, not only to those who can afford it. \nJill's House, Inc., is funded entirely by events and donations from community members and local organizations.\n"The fact that the community cares so much is really helping the Behrman family more than anything," Peg Howard said\nBloomington showed a tremendous response to Jill's disappearance by sponsoring numerous charity events in her honor. \n"We are trying to do as much in the community as possible in a positive manner to help remember Jill and honor her memory and ideals," Eric Behrman said.\nRun for the End-Zone 5K run and walk, which has been an IU tradition since 1996, was recently named in Behrman's honor by the Division of Recreational Sports. Thousands of Bloomington residents and IU students participate in this annual event as proceeds go directly to two important causes -- the Jill Behrman Emerging Leader Scholarship and Jill's House. The event also is designed to raise awareness about personal safety. The event raised $12,000 in 2001 and more than $10,000 last fall. \nSponsored by the Delta Upsilon fraternity, the first annual Jill Behrman Unity Ride took place in 2001 and raised more than $1,200 for Jill's House and nearly $1,700 last April.\nBrian Behrman, Jill Behrman's brother, is a DU alumnus. Jill Behrman was also a close friend to many DU brothers, and he said her disappearance deeply affected the fraternity.\n"It's amazing to know that the guys cared so much about my family," Brian Behrman said. "To take on this huge philanthropy even after I graduated really means a lot to me."\nThe noncompetitive ride follows a course through southern Bloomington, a favorite riding area of Jill's. The 11-mile route begins and ends at Jackson Street Middle School. The course is near the Behrman's home and includes many of the same roads that Jill Behrman rode.\n"The route basically followed at least a portion of what Jill probably rode the day she disappeared," Brian Behrman said. "The route for the ride is also the one she and I rode on together."\nJill Behrman's "Celebration of Life" is open to family, friends and members of the IU and Bloomington community. Eric and Marilyn Behrman said they hope the service will bring a resolution to this tragedy.\n"The time has come to join together in remembrance of Jill and celebrate the meaning her life has brought to our family and to so many others," Eric and Marilyn Behrman said in the statement.