CAROL STREAM – Eastview Middle School in Bartlett lost a member of its community last week with the death of 13-year-old seventh grade student Tilak Patel.
Patel collapsed the morning of Jan. 8 at a bus stop in front of Spring Trail Elementary School in Carol Stream, according to a message sent by school officials to Spring Trail parents. He was transported to a hospital by emergency services and died the same day of natural causes, according to the DuPage County Coroner's Office.
“No words can convey the depth of our sorrow over this sudden loss,” said Eastview Principal Donald Donner in a message sent to parents.
A message on the Eastview homepage remembers Patel as a kind and happy a boy, who loved kickball so much that he once kicked the ball onto the roof of Spring Trail.
“Our Eastview family lost one of our own this week,” the message said.
Crisis team members, grief and loss counselors, and social workers were available at Spring Trail and Eastview to assist students and staff, according to messages sent to parents.
Visitation, funeral services and a cremation for Patel were held Jan. 10 at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory at 950 S. Bartlett Road in Bartlett.