Funds Pour In For Funeral Of Middle School Student

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Funds have been pouring in for the family of a Marlowe Middle School student who died unexpectedly this past week. A GoFundMe page has brought in more than $17,000 to help pay for the funeral of James "Jimmy" Kilanski, 13.

Kilanski died on Monday at his home, according to the GoFundMe. He is being remembered as an energetic, thoughtful, kind, caring and loving teen who enjoyed giving big hugs, playing Fortnite and with Legos and spending time with his family and friends.

Meanwhile, the official cause of death for Kilanski is not yet known, the Northwest Herald reports. The McHenry County Coroner's Office is waiting on the results from additional tests to determine the cause of his death.

On Tuesday, comfort dogs were on hand at Marlowe Middle School as students grieved the loss of Kilanski, a seventh-grade student at the school. Social workers and counselors were also available at the school, which held a moment of silence on Wednesday morning in memory of Kilanski.

"This loss has left us heartbroken, and our school community will struggle to process this news for some time," Tony Venetico, the principal at Marlowe Middle School, wrote in a letter to parents.

• Marlowe Students Grieve Loss Of Classmate: District 158