Family, friends remember Bailey family at celebration of life
[November 04, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Loved ones have paid their respects to members of
gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s family at a celebration of life
in southern Illinois.
Darren’s son Zachary Bailey, Zach’s wife Kelsey, and their children,
12-year-old Vada Rose and 7-year-old Samuel died in a helicopter crash
Oct. 22 in Montana.
Bryan Newswander, a friend and former pastor for the Baileys, spoke at
Monday’s ceremony in Flora, Illinois.
“We’ve come together to honor the lives as family and friends, the lives
that lived before our eyes on this Earth that were brief but will remain
in our hearts forever,” Newswander said.
The celebration of life was held at Oil Belt Christian Service Camp in
Flora, which was also the site of visitation on Sunday afternoon.
Newswander said he could see the Baileys’ joy each Sunday morning.
“No family is perfect. They were pretty close. They laughed, they loved,
they lived, and you could see it through them all,” Newswander said.
Darren and his wife Cindy’s other grandson, Finn, age 10, was not on the
helicopter and survives, “surrounded by loving family,” according to a
statement from Darren Bailey. Newswander said the Baileys’ dog Lego,
however, was with Zach, Kelsey, Vada Rose and Samuel in passing.
No elected officials spoke at the event, which was carried live on Blue
Room Stream.
Tyler Sterchi, pastor of New Hope Church in Effingham, said said he was
thankful for Zach and Kelsey Bailey and their family.
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Darren and Cindy Bailey hug supporters during the celebration of
life for lost loved ones on Nov. 3, 2025. Photo: BlueRoomStream /
Screenshot
“You give me a hundred families like the Baileys, we’ll take
Illinois for the kingdom of God,” Sterchi said.
Sterchi said Zach got his helicopter pilot’s license with the intent
of doing mission work overseas, and Kelsey started a health and
fitness business while homeschooling her kids and caring for her
family.
“Who does things like that? People who have a life with God that not
even death can interrupt,” Sterchi said.
A number of Christian musicians and the dance team from Full Armor
Christian Academy performed at the celebration of life.
Private burial was scheduled at Oskaloosa Cemetery.
Darren Bailey’s running mate for lieutenant governor, Aaron Del Mar,
said last week that no decisions would be made about the future of
their campaign until after services were completed.
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