Funeral for 9-Year-Old Karly Little Brings Remembrance of Her 'Heartfelt Compassion'

New Lenox said "good bye" Monday to Karly Little, the New Lenox 9-year-old who died in a tragic two-car accident Oct. 13 in Kankakee County.

The funeral service was held at New Life Church, 500 Gougar Road. The solemn service was crowded with family and friends, and the wake was held Oct. 28 at Colonial Funeral Chapel in Orland Park. Burial was at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Frankfort.

Little, a fourth-grader at Nelson Ridge School, was a passenger in the car driven by her father, Ken Little, 53. Karly was pronounced dead at Provena St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee.

Her father and sister, 11-year-old Katie, were taken to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. Katie was released from the hospital the day following the accident. Ken, who underwent surgery on his spleen and suffered some broken ribs, was released several days later.       

The comments on the Colonial Chapel Funeral Home Book of Memories was filled with notes of encouragement and offerings of prayers and condolences intended to help the family grapple with the loss of an energetic and fun-loving child. Below are a handful of the heartfelt messages that were left:

• "Karen, So deeply saddened to hear about your daughter Karly. Please know you are being constantly lifted up in the prayers of our family. May God provide strength to all of you."
• "Your safe now in heaven, keep scoring those goals. We will look after Katie for you."
• "Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Our support and love to your whole family."
• "In Honor of your Life and Memory Karly. Our hearts are heavy with sadness, but what a Lucky God to have you as an Angel."
• "As the parent of a Ridge student, I am deeply affected by this loss, even though I haven't had the privilege of knowing Karly and your family. I hope that knowing how many people are lifting you up in prayer makes this somehow more bearable for you. There are many people in the community that are here for you if you need anything at all."
• 'I have been blessed to have spent the past school year with Karly in our third grade class. I will always remember her heartfelt compassion for others and her genuine, loving smile. As we celebrate Karly's life, please know that she touched so many of us during the time that we were together. I treasure the beautiful memories and will not forget Karly."
• "Although we have not been part of your lives for long, you truly are a wonderful family. My Jordan will miss Karly. She was a beautiful and cheerful little girl. May your family and friends help you through the times ahead and may the spirit of Karly and the love of Katie keep you going. We are here if you ever need anything. All my love and strength to you Karen and Ken."

Two days after the accident, the Legacy Girls Traveling Soccer Team paid tribute to Karly at practice. Shocked and dismayed, the parents stood on the sidelines at the field at Lincoln-Way Central High School sharing memories of Karly and their fondness for the entire Little family.     

At a major soccer tournament Oct. 20, in Brookfield, WI, Karly was honored by the members of all six of the Legacy teams. They earch wore blue arm bands.

At the wake, members of the Legacy Girls Traveling Soccer Team, Girl Scout Troop 30, classmates from Nelson Ridge Elementary School and Kingdom Kids of New Life Church paid homage to a young friend. A lot of young, beautiful and vibrant youngsters filled the funeral home to honor the life of a child who made her mark on the earth by being sweet and kind.  

Meanwhile, an outpouring of friends and relatives of the Little Family, parents Karen and Ken, along with sister Katie, grieved the loss. Community supporters, including New Lenox Rotary Club and representatives from area fire departments, were out in force as well.   

Eric Wesel, a New Lenox Rotarian who organized a memorial fund for the family at Old Plank Trail Bank in New Lenox, was at the wake. "It was packed. …Some of the kids wore soccer uniforms," he said.

"It took me an hour and 45 minutes to get through the line."

Two local Little Family Memorial funds

Donations to "The Little Family Memorial Fund," which was organized by the New Lenox Rotary Club, can be mailed to  Old Plank Trail Community Bank, 280 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox, IL 60451. As of Oct. 26, Wesel said $2,400 had been donated. "I know there's more. …I saw envelopes at the wake."

Donors looking to participate in the "Coins 4 Katie & Karly" will have to wait till Halloween. Jane Berry of New Life Church, announced, "Children from all over the community will be asking for a small donation while Trick-or-Treating this Halloween. …Please show your support by donating a few coins to the Trick-or-Treaters collecting for the Little Family to help with medical bills and expenses."

Readers should also see: 

• New Lenox Girl Dies in Fatal Car Crash in Kankakee County

• Soccer Team Mourns Death of 9-Year-old Member Karly Little

• 9-Year-Old's Death Spurs Memorial Fund to Support Family

• Coins 4 Katie & Karly

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