Funeral for Doug Greenhalgh family, 10/20/2005

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Funeral for Doug Greenhalgh family, 10/20/2005

Thursday, October 20, 2005, was the day of Chippewa Falls's biggest funeral in memory. It was the day we laid to rest the beloved high school band director, Doug Greenhalgh, along with his wife Therese and their granddaughter Morgan. They all lost their lives in a tragic bus accident on the way back from marching band competition. Everyone was emotionally drained from last night's visitation at Chi-Hi, but we had to say our final goodbyes.

Students from 25 different marching bands lined the streets, in full uniform and standing at attention, as mourners filed into the church, to pay their respects to "G": Altoona, Antigo, Augusta, Barron, Cadott, Colby, Colfax, Cumberland, DC Everest, Durand, Elk Mound, Fall Creek, Greendale, Hudson, Irondale, McDonnell, Memorial, Menomonie, North, Northstar Middle, Osseo Fairchild, Rice Lake, River Falls, Spring Valley, and Thorp.

Music at the service was provided by an alumni ensemble. They also played "When the Saints Go Marching In" as we exited past the visiting marching bands that were still standing at attention (see 11MB video clip). It was especially difficult seeing three hearses in one procession.

Below are some FZ20 photos I took to try to capture the moment, for those who couldn't be here. (I have been getting emails from Marching Cardinals alumni scattered around the country.) I also took a few photos of all the flowers and memorials that were moved after the funeral to the high school that G loved so much. I hope these pictures help in your grieving process.

By the way -- at the burial site, after the minister said the final prayer and announced that it was over, nobody moved or said anything for a short while. Then the sound of the Leinenkugel's noon whistle floated through the air, as if on cue. It seemed to say that this town still has a rhythm, and we need to get back into after these five agonizing days. Rhythm is part of the healing process -- "G" would agree with that.

- Tom Arneberg (toma@arneberg.com)