Community mourns, remembers Nick Mankin: 'Lord, we desperately need you'

This story was originally published June 20, 2015.

The Rev. Terry Felton described Nick Mankin as a football player, artist and scholar.

Mankin enjoyed fishing, shooting guns and listening to country music.

He was known to flash a mischievous grin. Mankin would sometimes shout "For Narnia!" before attacking a sibling — a joke inspired by "The Chronicles of Narnia" films.

Hundreds of friends, family members and community members turned out Saturday to mourn Mankin's death and celebrate his life.

The 16-year-old Red Lion Area Senior High School student was killed in a vehicle crash in Lower Chanceford Township Tuesday. Fellow Red Lion football player Stone Hill was the driver, and he also died in the crash.

"God, I am asking you to lavish your comfort, your grace, your mercy and your presence here now. ...Lord, we desperately need you," Felton said during a service at a York Township funeral home and chapel Saturday morning.

Some visitors showed up to the funeral home before 9 a.m. Saturday to visit with Mankin's family.

Inside a chapel, Mankin's artwork, football gear and other memorabilia were displayed. A large screen showed pictures from Mankin's life: as a baby, on the football field, hanging out with friends and family, dressed up for school dances, and making funny faces for the camera.

Some in the crowd wore cheerleading outfits or football jerseys.

The line to visit with his family stretched outside the room, and the visitation period lasted longer than scheduled.

Felton, a pastor for Mason Dixon Baptist Church in New Freedom, thanked everyone, on behalf of the family, for their prayers, calls, texts and other forms of support.

"Please know that they deeply, deeply appreciate each and every one of you," Felton said.

During the service, Felton told stories about Mankin and talked about faith in life in heaven.

Felton said he first got to know Mankin when he was about 3- or 4-years-old. Felton said Mankin and one of his siblings were "the type of boys that would run into a door before trying to open it."

"You could hear them, before you saw them," Felton said, as the crowd laughed.

Felton told the crowd that life is brief, and eternity is forever.

"The word of God says that one day, all who know Jesus will be with him," Felton said. "...There'll be no suffering."

Felton said he couldn't answer the question of why this happened to Mankin. But he said that because of redemption through Jesus Christ, hope does not have to be lost.

Felton said that he was hurting and grieving along with everyone else.

"But I am not grieving void of hope," Felton said.

The service ended with the song "You Are My Sunshine" — a song that Mankin's mother, Carol Tracey, would sometimes have her kids sing before meals.

As a recording played, some in the crowd sang in their seats. Others stood to sing.