Family and friends of Lynn Jackenheimer gather to say goodbye

ASHLAND, Ohio - Family and friends gathered at Grace Brethren Church on Monday to say their final goodbyes to Lynn Jackenheimer, who was laid to rest in an Ashland Cemetery.

"We are here to celebrate her life and grieve our loss," said friends of the slain Ashland mother of two.

"She was a good mom. I hope she has a good life in Heaven. I love you mom," said Jackenheimer's 13-year-old daughter.

"Her love for her children, she just really loved her children and went out of her way to love them and show them care and concern, very protective of her children," said Dick Riley.

A former neighbor told people inside the church, "we have lost a wonderful, caring, compassionate young lady."

Other friends and family members shared their thoughts and memories of Jackenheimer during the service. Jackenheimer's first grade teacher remembered her as a "curious and giving child."

"We will never forget," said Pastor Ted Risner about Jackenheimer and her family. "We here in Ashland will not collapse. We will stay strong.

Jackenheimer disappeared over the July Fourth weekend while vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with estranged boyfriend Nate Summerfield. The 27-year-old Summerfield is accused of stabbing and strangling Jackenheimer to death before dumping her body 30 minutes from their beach cottage.

An intense manhunt is on to find Summerfield, who police said came back home from the trip and dropped off his 3-year-old son and Jackenheimer's 13-year-old daughter, who has autism, at a family friend's house on July 8. He then reportedly withdrew cash from an Ashland ATM and took off in a gray Honda Civic with Ohio license plate FMV 7540. Authorities said Summerfield confessed to his brother that he killed Jackenheimer shortly before he disappeared.

The FBI and U.S. Marshals are following leads on his whereabouts and Summerfield's information is also posted on America's Most Wanted site.

Meanwhile, memorial contributions can be made to benefit Jackenheimer's children at any Chase Bank.