Yuri Stelmach, age 22, a resident of Woodridge, died suddenly in a motorcycle accident on March 22, 2006.

Yuri was born on April 30, 1983 in Tallinn, Estonia. He was a beautiful baby. God made him perfect, he had it all. He grew up with his brother, Valentin, and his sister Sulta. When they came to America in 1988, his mother gave him a little brother, Egene.

He was born into a Christian family and heard and knew about God since he was a little boy. He accepted Jesus into his life and heart and was baptized in the summer of 2003. Yuri realized at an early age that Jesus is the way.

He was a loving, caring person and he was always really happy and ready to help. He was full of life, and enjoyed life. He loved to ride his motorcycle, loved to sing praises to the Lord, and most of all loved his wife.

God lets things happen in life for a reason and we sometimes don't know why, but the Bible says, "I give and I take". Everything that we have is from the Lord and sometimes that means that we don't get to keep something or someone for a lifetime. But the memories that we have will live on and be with us forever.

Jesus has Yuri's soul. Let us praise our Lord for showing us His love through Yuri.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 26, from 3-9 P.M. at Gary Memorial United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., in Wheaton. An informal service will be held during that time from 6-8 P.M. A funeral service will be held at the church on Monday from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Yuri Stelmach Family Fund, c/o 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL 60187.