POST FALLS, Idaho — On what would have been his 10th birthday, kidnap-slaying victim Dylan Groene was remembered Saturday as an impish child who loved videogames, riding his bike and riding with his dad on his motorcycle.
Many mourners carried birthday balloons.
More than 700 people filled the Real Life Ministries building, where just a few weeks ago services were held for Dylan's mother, Brenda Groene, 40, and his brother Slade Vincent, 13. They died with Brenda's boyfriend, Mark McKenzie, 37, in a May 16 attack on the family home outside nearby Coeur d'Alene that authorities believe was carried out to acquire Dylan and his 8-year-old sister, Shasta.
Shasta, rescued July 2 when she appeared at a local restaurant with convicted sex offender Joseph Edward Duncan III, did not appear to be at the service.
But her rescue was noted by Pastor Jim Putman.
"I thank God for the miracle he gave us bringing Shasta back," Putman said during the hourlong service. "God has plans for that little girl."
The church is a few miles from the Kootenai County Jail, where Duncan is being held without bail in connection with the brutal crimes that have stunned the region. State prosecutors have charged Duncan with three counts of murder and kidnapping in the attack on the family home. All six charges can carry the death penalty. Federal prosecutors have said they will file charges in the abduction of the children and Dylan's death. The boy's body was found in Montana within days of Shasta's rescue.
"This is Dylan's 10th birthday," Putman told the mourners. "God is throwing a better party for him than you could ever possibly imagine."
In his only reference to the killer, he said: "God takes care of evil, and I can trust him to do it. When he punishes he does it far better than I could ever do."
Among those at the service was Amber Deahn, the Denny's waitress who recognized Shasta with Duncan in the diner and stalled her milkshake order till police could arrive.
"One is gone, yet one remains to fill your heart and take the hurt away," she wrote on the paper banner signed by many in attendance.
The service included a video presentation with numerous photos showing Dylan with his parents and siblings. He was shown playing with Shasta and big brother Slade, attending family parties.
Lana Hamilton, principal of Fernan Elementary School in Coeur d'Alene, recalled Dylan's love of monster trucks, Hot Wheels toy cars and food in the school's cafeteria.
He was known to classmates and teachers as "Dilly Bar" and "DJ," she said.
"We love him and we'll miss him," Hamilton said.
Programs issued at the service said Dylan was born in Coeur d'Alene on July 16, 1995, and "passed in Montana in June 2005."
The date of his death is not known.
Putman read a note from the boy's father, Steve Groene, who thanked community members for their support and law enforcement for their efforts in the case. Dylan's two oldest brothers also attended the service — Vance, 20, and 18-year-old Jesse, who was released from jail to attend. He's serving a six-month service for burglary and says the family's overwhelming tragedy has turned his life around.
During the service, Putman called for changes in sex-offender laws to better protect children — a plea made previously by Steve Groene and echoed after the memorial by one of his nieces, Jennifer Inwood of Tacoma.
"This is our opportunity to make it a better world for everyone's children," Inwood said.