By RODNEY HART and ANN PIERCEALL
Herald-Whig Staff Writers
Family and friends gathered Thursday morning to pay respects and say farewell for a final time to Carl Patrick Epley and Amanda Thomas.
The Monroe City High School classmates were found dead Saturday in Thomas' Hannibal apartment. The man accused of their second-degree murders, Manuel Cazares, has his first court appearance Friday morning.
Thomas' funeral took place in the Garner Funeral Chapel in Monroe City. Her two young children, Skylie and Taybryn, were in attendance.
The Rev. Steve Goughnour said he was reminded of a plaque inscribed "live, love, laugh" when thinking of Thomas.
"That's the way Amanda would want to be thought of today as we come together and as we go through life," Goughnour told the overflow crowd, estimated at nearly 200 people. "With God's help, and with family and friends, we'll make it through today and the days to come."
The half-hour service featured a stirring rendition of "I Am The Great" by vocalist Barbara Talton, accompanied by Larry Washington on the piano. Near the end of the service, the recording of the poignant "In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride was played.
Goughnour read from many scripture passages, including Psalm 23. He talked about Thomas' unselfish giving and ability to serve others -- Thomas was studying to be a nurse at John Wood Community College in Quincy, Ill.
"Amanda would want you to remember her and remember her laugh," he said. "Sorrow and laughter are two of our most powerful emotions, and today they are intermixed."
Thomas' closed casket was adorned with flowers and a photo of her and her two children. It was carried by pallbearers Scott Geiler, Curt Mayes, Cole Schaubroeck, Kelly Coleman, Allen Massengill, Scott Shively and Carl Davis to a waiting hearse, which took her and the funeral procession to St. Jude Cemetery in Monroe City.
A large crowd was on hand at the James O'Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal for Epley's funeral. His love of life and family was recounted during the service.
An emotional Corey Epley shared his thoughts and memories of Patrick with the crowd.
"He was my brother. He was my best friend. He was my hero," he said.
The crowd laughed quietly when Epley described Patrick getting a jack kit for Christmas and how he "jacked up the couch, the picnic table."
"He had everything jacked up," he said.
Epley said Patrick was a math whiz who went to a state competition and placed 88th out about 300 other students, and a sports nut who could play PlayStation baseball for hours.
Patrick loved the Green Bay Packers, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Mizzou Tigers, and could quote stats for all of them. More than one sweatshirt Thursday bore the Tiger logo, some carried an extra message of "In loving memory" of "Pee Pee" or "Patrick."
The Rev. Tim Goodman said Patrick Epley lived each day "to just enjoy it as a gift." He reminded the family and friends on hand how much Patrick enjoyed his time with them.
"He really loved life and lived it fully each day," he said. "All of this made his life count as very special for all of you. Twenty-five years is not a very long time but it's a long time when you think about the way he packed so much life into it.
"You've got so many memories to go forward with from this day. That's a blessing for each and every one of you."
