Victims of Flash Flood Are Mourned

A crowd of more than 1,000 gathered Saturday at a modest San Bernardino church to mourn 12 children and adults who died in a violent flash flood Christmas Day and to pray for an end to a series of tragedies that has befallen the foothill community since deadly wildfires raged there two months ago.

“Something’s going on in our land that seems to be unusual,” Pastor Larry Lee said at an emotional funeral service at Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia. “People have been devastated by so many tragedies.... We turn to you Lord.... Fortify our city.”

The plea came amid the cries and wails of grieving family members -- some of whom saw relatives swept away in the muddy torrent.

But through most of the two-hour service, congregants of this Evangelical church sang with joy about their love for Christ, some praying with raised hands and closed eyes.

Their pastors called on them not to dwell on death.

The victims had, pastors said, realized a greater reward.

“They’re not here,” Pastor Emilio Ruedas said as he gestured toward the coffins-- four white, two gray, four cream and one pink -- which were topped by flowers and photographs of the victims.

Remnants of Christmas -- garland and greenery -- still adorned the stage-like altar of the converted church building that once was a grocery store. Numerous flower arrangements lined the stage.

“Their bodies are here, but they are with God,” Ruedas said to growing applause. “Our hope is with him, and they are with him.”

The victims were members of six families -- many of them church members -- who had attended a Christmas celebration in Waterman Canyon. Torrential rains and fire-scorched hillsides triggered the flash floods, which killed 15 and left one missing in the San Bernardino Mountains

On Saturday, church members memorialized 11 of the dead: Jose Pablo Navarro, 11; Yoleila Navarro, 7; Miguel Angel Cambron Jr., 11; Ramon Meza, 29; Ivan Avila, 13; Jose Carlos Camacho, 33; Jorge Antonio Monzon, 41; Clara Pirir Monzon, 41; Wendy Beatrice Monzon, 17; Eva Raquel Monzon, 9; and Jeremias Aaron Monzon, 8 months.

Mourners, who spilled into the lobby and another room of the church, also recalled a 12th victim, Edgar David Meza, 11, who is missing.

After a series of religious songs played by a full electric band with backup singers, church leaders recalled some details about the victims’ lives.

“Ramon Meza was one who would not miss a soccer game with the men,” said Martha Ruedas, wife of Pastor Ruedas. “He donated the pillars you see in this sanctuary.”

Jorge Monzon was the caretaker of the campsite that was hit by the flood. The site belonged to St. Sofia Greek Orthodox Church, but Monzon belonged to Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia.

“And brother Monzon,” said Debra Price, who joined her husband, Pastor Kelly Price, on stage, “God help you if you weren’t a Christian when you came into contact with him. Because if you weren’t, by the time you were done, you were probably saved. And if you weren’t, you were well on your way. He was a true evangelist, a collector of souls.”

Martha Ruedas offered other details before presenting a photo slide show of the victims, showing them smiling at soccer games, weddings, parties and at work.

Of Raquel Monzon, Ruedas said: “Her eyes lit up when she knew she would be at McDonald’s eating a hamburger.”

Of Yoleila Navarro, she said: “She would get so excited when she knew she was going to sing about God with other little kids.”

Among those who attended the service were San Bernardino Mayor Judith Valles and former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, who sat next to Father John Bakas, Dean of St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles.

As pallbearers began to prepare for the burial, mourner Patricia Fettis said the memorial service was different from those she was used to at other churches. “I came in and I was crying.... But then I saw this service and they were rejoicing. That was unusual. It made me feel better. It gave me strength,” Fettis said.

Six hearses led a procession of 200 vehicles along Del Rosa and Highland avenues to Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery for the burial.

The trip was a difficult one for many.

One of the funeral directors, Connie Anderson, rode with Ricardo Navarro, father of Jose Pablo and Yoleila. She said he broke down as the vehicle rolled up to the cemetery and began blaming himself for their deaths.

“I had them in my hands,” he cried.

At the tree-lined cemetery, about 100 family members sat under a white tent, adults on chairs with children at their feet.

In front of them rested six caskets.

Several of the mourners placed their hands on the coffins in a final gesture of goodbye.

The pastor explained that there were only six caskets because the Monzons were to be buried in Guatemala.

Before the caskets were lowered into the ground, Pastor Ruedas read a letter in Spanish from Jose Carlos Camacho’s daughter, Abby Camacho, 6.

“Papa,” she wrote. “I feel bad because you died. But I have faith one day I will see you in the sky.”

Then a group of children made a circle and released a half-dozen white doves.

The doves stayed together in flight, then circled the cemetery and left.