Memorial Held At NIU For Toni Keller
Updated: 10/26/10 10:57 p.m.
DEKALB, Ill. (CBS/WBBM) - Hundreds gathered Tuesday night on the campus of NIU in honor of Antinette "Toni" Keller. This despite the fact that officials have not positively identified the remains found.
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Students, faculty and friends held candles, and played music from her favorite band, "The Beatles".
Toni is described as loving music, the color yellow and sunflowers.
"She was rarely seen without a smile and welcomed everyone into her heart," said Brooke Brocjak, Keller's friend. "One of her close friends described her as the daughter of the sun."
NIU President, Dr. John Peters praised the students, who passed out fliers and made buttons, ribbons and posters during the search.
"In dozens of ways, thousands of you spread the word through every conceivable media," Peters said. "One Huskie goes missing, we all join together to find them."
Keller's cousin, Mary Tarling, thanked those who sent the family messages of encouragement.
"When I look out at all this, I am as overwhelmed as we have been all the way through this," said Tarling. "Toni, myself and the rest of the family want you to know that we see you, we hear you and we feel you."
Tarling also told the crowd, "We cry now, but we cry for ourselves. Toni is OK."
Keller's father and mother were too upset to attend tonight's candlelight vigil.
Counselors were on hand after the gathering.
Newradio 780's Mary Frances Bragiel and CBS 2's Mike Parker contributed to this report.
