HILLSBORO, N.H. (AP) – The family of Sarah and Philip Gehring have written another chapter – a sad one – in the short lives of the children.

Formal obituaries appeared in Friday’s newspapers, recounting the lives of 14-year-old Sarah and 11-year-old Philip, who were murdered by their father in 2003. He said he drove for hours with their bodies in his van before burying them somewhere along 700 miles of Interstate 80.

The bodies of Sarah and Philip were found last week, buried by a road in Hudson, Ohio, about 25 miles southeast of Cleveland.

The family writes that in the 2 years since the children were killed, they have missed seeing Sarah learn to drive, take part in cheerleading competitions and become a senior in high school. They have missed watching Philip act in plays, write stories and become a teenager.

“Gifts they gave to us: Sarah had a grace and beauty that will be remembered by all who knew her,” the obituary said. “But most importantly, she had a caring heart for those less fortunate than her.

“Philip gave us a gift of humor and joy that cannot be surpassed,” the obituary continued. “He was just blossoming into a young man, and we who knew him could sense that he was going to offer the world something special.’ “

A service is being held Sunday in Hillsboro.



The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sarah and Philip Gehring Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1805, Hillsboro, 03244, a nonprofit organization to support the activities of youth in theater and cheerleading, as well as scholarships for graduating high school seniors.