Memorial service in Arlington Heights honors slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WGN) — While mourners filled State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, community members in the northwest suburbs gathered on Sunday to pay their final respects.

Rick Kling and his wife spent their day riding motorcycles through multiple suburbs. They stopped at Lakewood Chapel in Kirk’s hometown of Arlington Heights, where a livestream of Kirk’s memorial service was being shown.

“Today we ride for Charlie Kirk,” Kling said.

Pastor John Elleson says he had never met Kirk or followed his movement before he was shot and killed at an event on a Utah college campus on Sept. 10.

“I thought if it was my son or something, I’d want to honor him,” Elleson said.

Knowing Kirk had deep ties to the Arlington Heights community, Elleson says he felt compelled to open the church doors for those looking for a place to grieve, reflect and come together in remembrance.

“I just think we would do well if we would not throw stones at each other,” Elleson said.

Those who visited the church expressed appreciation for having a space where they could find comfort together.

“I don’t live close to here, but I wanted to be able to come to a place where I knew I was with other people who believe so we could mourn,” Geri Nyvoe said.

Elleson says he understands many are experiencing grief over Kirk’s death, while others struggle with his controversial beliefs. He stresses that healing is impossible without unity and to move forward, people must come together.

“We gotta look beyond our differences,” he said.  

Earlier this week, both chambers of Congress passed a resolution making Oct. 14 the “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.”