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Aug 21, 2008 6:42 pm US/Eastern

Friends Of John Challis Remember His Message

Reporting
Brenda Waters

BEAVER (KDKA) ― Two days after 18-year-old John Challis lost his battle with terminal cancer, friends and family poured into a funeral home in Beaver to remember him.

"In his casket is a letter written by his sister and to me that's the most powerful thing of all," Steve Wetzel, John's baseball coach and friend said.

A letter from his 14-year-old sister tells him how much she loves him. And 18-year-old John Challis was loved by many.

He battled liver and lung cancer for two years and now family, friends and many strangers are morning his his death and celebrating his life.

"It's tough. As a young man he touched many. He was a great son, he loved the Lord and appreciated everyday," Wetzel said.

Wetzel is getting married next month. John was to be in that wedding. Somehow he knew he wouldn't be there. He told his coach he would be the angel standing to his right.