ARGYLE - Community members have organized a public memorial service next week for three boys who died in a house fire here earlier this month.
Set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, the service will memorialize Allen Wand, 7, Jeffery Wand, 5, and Joseph "Jo Jo" Wand, 3. The event will be held in Argyle Park on North State Street (Wisconsin 78), or in the case of bad weather, in the Argyle High School gym down the road.
"It's very informal. It's not a funeral service. It's kind of a cross between remembering the kids and community healing," said Dan Bohlman, pastor at Yellowstone and Apple Grove Lutheran churches.
The Wand boys died in a fire early Friday, Sept. 7, in a home their family rented at 402 Oak St. Their father, Armin G. Wand III, 32, and uncle, Jeremy Wand, 18, are charged with multiple counts of first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly starting the fire to collect on life insurance money.
Their mother, Sharon Wand, 27, suffered severe burns in the fire and has been in an induced coma ever since. She lost the baby she was carrying and remains hospitalized in Madison.
"It's going to be a long haul for her," Bohlman said.
The boys' 2-year-old sister, Jessica Wand, survived the fire with minor injuries. She's in foster care in Platteville, according to relatives.
Bohlman said he has been ministering to the Wand family in Argyle - the boys' grandparents and other relatives.
"Everyone in this area is just taking a deep breath and regaining their bearings. The first week everyone was in shock," he said. "I think we're ready to do this and just do a little bit of healing."
Set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, the service will memorialize Allen Wand, 7, Jeffery Wand, 5, and Joseph "Jo Jo" Wand, 3. The event will be held in Argyle Park on North State Street (Wisconsin 78), or in the case of bad weather, in the Argyle High School gym down the road.
"It's very informal. It's not a funeral service. It's kind of a cross between remembering the kids and community healing," said Dan Bohlman, pastor at Yellowstone and Apple Grove Lutheran churches.
The Wand boys died in a fire early Friday, Sept. 7, in a home their family rented at 402 Oak St. Their father, Armin G. Wand III, 32, and uncle, Jeremy Wand, 18, are charged with multiple counts of first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly starting the fire to collect on life insurance money.
Their mother, Sharon Wand, 27, suffered severe burns in the fire and has been in an induced coma ever since. She lost the baby she was carrying and remains hospitalized in Madison.
"It's going to be a long haul for her," Bohlman said.
The boys' 2-year-old sister, Jessica Wand, survived the fire with minor injuries. She's in foster care in Platteville, according to relatives.
Bohlman said he has been ministering to the Wand family in Argyle - the boys' grandparents and other relatives.
"Everyone in this area is just taking a deep breath and regaining their bearings. The first week everyone was in shock," he said. "I think we're ready to do this and just do a little bit of healing."