Memorial Services for Whitelaw Children

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- Arrangements are now in place to remember the children police say were killed by their father this week.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, there will be a memorial service for Kevin and Katie Whitelaw at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park.

The children's maternal grandfather responded today to the support the family has received since the tragedy:

"If there is a way to come to terms with the loss of our dear loved ones, we know that it will only be through God's leading us day by day, and the love and support of family and friends.  We were speechless Tuesday evening at the number of people that took time out of their lives to come to the candlelight vigil and express their sympathy and support."

Kevin, a football player for St. Johns Country Day, will be remembered at tonight's game.

His jersey and a scrapbook put together by the yearbook staff will be given to his mom this afternoon, and Kevin's classmates will celebrate his life at a ceremony at 7 p.m., before the game.

Also, students have designed bracelets and T-shirts to remember Kevin. Students that knew Kevin remain in shock, they said today.

"I'm pretty sure everybody cried. I keep wanting to pinching myself," said Austin Engelbrecht, who played football with Kevin, a right tackle.

Police say Jerry Whitelaw shot Kevin and 11-year-old Katie Tuesday morning while their mother was in the shower, then shot himself.

Alec Goldman, a junior, played basketball with Kevin and said Kevinwas always an uplifting teammate who reassured him after games if he had not played that well. "He was here four days ago and now he's gone," Goldman said.

Erika Lyle said Kevin had taught her how to throw the shotput for the school track team. "I'd never thrown a shotput in my life," she said. "We know he is in a better place."

The children's schools, St. Johns Country Day and Grace Episcopal Day School, have set up a fund for anyone who would like to make a donation to help with the funeral expenses.

It is Compass Bank account #2518452447, and check can be made payable to "The Dana Whitelaw Family Fund."

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