DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A balloon launch Friday night time honored the lifetime of 17-year-old Eli Berman, who was killed whereas using his motorcycle on Tuesday.
It was a mixture of feelings for the lots of of people that got here out to help Eli’s household Friday night time at Meadowdale Excessive College, as a flurry of balloons lifted into the sky.
Eli’s household says the outpouring of affection from the group was unprecedented — all from individuals who had been impacted in a technique or one other by Eli Berman.
“It was truthfully wonderful to see how a lot help he had,” stated Trinity Higgins, Eli’s cousin. “I do know Elijah did nice issues, he blessed all people’s life. All people’s life that he touched, he blessed them. I am simply grateful to see that occur.”
The 17-year-old scholar from Chaminade Julienne Catholic Excessive College was killed on Tuesday when a semi truck hit him whereas he was using his motorcycle in Franklin.
Eli was a star soccer participant each together with his highschool and peewee groups, with dozens of teammates and mates exhibiting up to honor him.
“We grew up collectively, he was my brother. Beginning off proper right here in highschool, we acquired to play with one another, a number of the greatest instances I ever had,” stated Chandler Moore, Eli’s greatest pal. “Eli was a tough employee, he was in every single place, he was a pacesetter. Everybody can take a web page out of his e-book, regardless of the place you are from.”
Individuals from all points of Eli’s life, from faculty and sports activities groups to his church and metropolis group, arrived with balloons in hand to help his household.
“He was a shining star,” stated considered one of Eli’s relations. “I keep in mind watching him taking part in soccer on this subject. He cherished the sport, was actually in tune with the sport. He was an awesome individual.”
Eli was an avid motorcycle rider, and after only one publish on social media, native biker teams turned out by the handfuls to present their help as properly.
“Within the biking group, we’re all brothers,” stated Rocky Johnson, Dayton Heavy Metallic. “We glance out for one another, and when a fellow biker goes down, all of us really feel the ache, all of us really feel the damage.”
Eli’s mother informed 2 NEWS she was floored by the response that she and her household obtained from the group. She says she had no concept Eli had this many mates and had impacted so many individuals.
Eli’s funeral might be on July 7 at midday at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Dayton, with a visitation happening from 10 a.m. to midday.
