Obituaries
Nathan Kackert, 3, Left a Mark in the World; Grandfather Shares Thoughts on Loss
Don Kackert, Homer Glen, speaks out about the tragic loss of his grandson in a July 7 drowning accident in Homer Glen.
Red, yellow and blue balloons were tied to floral arrangements on each side of the small white casket where the body of 3-year-old Nathan Kackert was laid Thursday at Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, Orland Park.
The boy died as a result of a tragic drowning accident July 7 in Homer Glen. His parents, Shaun and Linda Kackert, and their two boys—Nathan and 7-month-old Ryan—had been visiting family over the Fourth of July holiday.
Nathan's dad is a 27-year-old U.S. Army staff sergeant stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. The Lockport High School graduate, who'd served in Iraq and is slated to deploy this coming winter to Afghanistan, brought his family home for vacation. They were staying at the home of his parents, Don and Crystal Kackert, when tragedy struck. Nathan wandered next door, where he drown in an in-ground swimming pool.
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READ: Homer Glen Drowning Victim, 3, Found Way to Unlock Front Door
Family members and friends huddled close to comfort each other and mourn the loss of a vibrant little boy who loved his white dog and enjoyed playing with Tupperware in the cabinets. Nathan was surrounded by a loving family.
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His favorite toy was Thomas the Train Engine. The happy face of the friendly blue engine decked various displays. A special collection of family photos celebrated his birth on Jan. 19, 2010; his first Halloween when he was dressed as a cougar, and Nathan opening presents on Christmas.
Nathan's grandfather, Don Kackert, said military-clad friends of Shaun's from the US Army Recruiting Office in Downers Grove had come to offer their condolences.
"It's so hard," Don Kackert said. The loss of his grandson runs deep.
Shaun has been in contact with superiors at Fort Carson. He's working to postpone an upcoming month-long training exercise away from home.
"He can't leave now," Don said.
The hardest part for the young family, said Don, will come when they get back to their own home. They live on base in a house right across the street from the park where Nathan had enjoyed countless hours at play.
"They're thinking about moving," he said. "They don't want to look out (at the park.)"
Since the tragedy, Don has made a point to speak out, to share his heartache so that others will not have to endure the same pain.
"You just have to be careful," he said.
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