Hunter Anthony Himes, 15, of unincorporated Downers Grove, died Sunday from injuries sustained during a bicycle accident in February 2012.
Hunter, who would have been a freshman at Downers Grove South this year, was left in a persistent vegetative state from brain injuries suffered after he was struck by a car while riding his bike home from a friend's house in Darien. His parents, Mark and Terra Ihde, put him on hospice in November after learning he would not recover.
He died Sunday morning in his home. He is survived by his parents and two younger sisters, Chase and Calyn, along with numerous family members and friends.
Hunter's father, Mark Ihde posted the following message to Facebook on Sunday:
"I'd like to thank each and every one of you that stood by our sides through this tragedy. Your kind words, your generosity, your prayers, your actions, your new found love for anything this may have drawn you closer to. Hunter was such a great boy and we struggle to find answers to why this happened. Know that he loves you all. Know that we love and appreciate you all. Thanks so much and God Bless you."
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Modell Funeral Home, 7710 S. Cass Ave. in Darien. Because of parking constraints, a continuous shuttle bus will run from Lakeview Junior High School, 701 Plainfield Road in Downers Grove, to Modell from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 8404 S. Cass Ave. in Darien. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:
Hope for Hunter
Charter One Bank
Account No. 4514184488
Hunter loved playing guitar and proudly owned the same electric model as Angus Young of his favorite band, AC/DC. He was also a talented athlete who started playing football with the Downers Grove Panthers at age 9.
The Panthers are asking that members of the organization wear jerseys or spirt wear Tuesday in memory of Hunter.
For more on Hunter's life, read
Related stories:
- Family of Injured Downers Grove Boy Petitions Governor for Stiffer Distracted Driving Penalties
- Mom of Injured Boy Urges Vigilance Behind the Wheel
- Hunter’s Hope: Ways You Can Support Injured Boy’s Recovery
- Community Unites in Hope for Lakeview Student Struck by Car
- Hundreds Attend Vigil For Boy Hit By Car in Weekend Accident
Beardsley family
My sympathy to your family. If it was destined for Hunter to leave you, what better to know he is now at home in heaven. Will pray for healing of your heartache.
I will always remember the fateful night when Hunter was hit. I was driving home, saw a police car blocking Lemont Rd. at 83rd St., and glanced further south down Lemont Rd. to see perhaps a dozen police cars with their lights flashing. My heart sank as I feared that something terrible had happened where my grandmother lives - a few doors down from Beller & Lemont. Due to the proximity to my grandmother's home, I drove through the neighborhood around the police blockade to check it out. It was dark and I couldn't get close enough to see clearly, but I saw a pickup truck with what appeared to be a bike stuck well underneath it. The crowd of spectators and I hoped that no one was seriously hurt (Hunter and the driver were already removed from the scene by that time). Sadly, we now know the whole horrific story. I wish I had a time machine so I could go back to 2/26/12 and be standing there to stop Hunter from riding into the crosswalk. Hunter's memory will be with our family forever. When we walk or bike through intersections and stop at crosswalks when driving, we're all going to think about him and be more careful in every way.