Celebration of life service scheduled for missing McCallie student

This undated photo provided by Mark McOmie shows Jackson Standefer.  (Mark McOmie via AP)
This undated photo provided by Mark McOmie shows Jackson Standefer. (Mark McOmie via AP)

A celebration of life service for a McCallie student who went missing in the Grand Canyon is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday in the school's main chapel, the boy's uncle said on Facebook.

Jackson Standefer, an eighth-grader, and his step-grandmother, LouAnn Merrell, were swept away while hiking on April 15. An extensive search turned up no trace of the pair.

Jackson's uncle, Chattanooga dentist Mark McOmie, posted news of the service Sunday on Facebook. He said a service for Merrell was held Sunday evening in Vernal, Utah

"We as a family appreciate the National Park Services efforts in the search. The search consists of community outreach and routine back country patrols at this time. We pray they find something to help us gain closure, we remain hopeful. We would like to thank the National Park Service for their diligent search efforts," McOmie wrote.

He added: "We have been amazed at the tremendous outpouring of love from our community. It truly helps at this the most difficult of times.

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