Friends, co-workers and neighbors gathered to remember David Dutler and pray for the full and healthy recovery of his wife, Jan, at a prayer service held Tuesday night at the Newman Catholic Center.

The retired director of campus recreation was killed and his wife was critically injured when the couple’s car was involved in a 14-vehicle pile-up in New Mexico March 8.

Roy Lanham, a campus minister who led Tuesday’s service, remembered the couple as faithful members of the Newman Catholic Center community and regular churchgoers. He began the service lightheartedly, remembering the couple’s “designated” seat at church and joking about their frequent tardiness to mass.

“They were always the last ones here,” he said. “You knew mass could begin once they got here.”

In an opening prayer, Woody Kramer, a friend of the Dutlers’, said the news “came as a shock” and asked everyone to pray for those involved with the “tragic mystery.”

Holly Walters, a campus minister and friend of the family, read a letter sent by the couple’s sons, Mike and Steve Dutler, to the Newman Center.

In the letter, Walters said the children were thankful to “the entire Charleston community for the outpouring of prayers and support over the last 10, difficult days.”

“We miss Dad terribly. He was truly the anchor of our family,” the letter read. “He was a devoted husband, loving, generous father, doting grandfather and a good friend to many in Charleston. We believed he lived each day to the fullest. We are feeling lost without him, but we are comforted knowing he is now with God.”

Walters said Father Chris Brey, who is with the Dutler family in New Mexico, reported Mrs. Dutler’s Tuesday morning hip surgery was successful and doctors appear optimisitic for her recovery.

The brothers said in the letter, “We are anxious to get Mom back to Illinois as soon as she can travel.”

Lanham told those in attendance to “turn to (God) to know we are never abandoned and Jan will not be abandoned … because we are gathered in prayer and community this night and the days and weeks and months ahead.”

Lanham lit two ceremonial votive candles, saying that as the candles burn, they will keep the memory of Mr. Dutler and continue to keep prayers for both alive.

Lanham said he wanted the community to gather in prayer “not to change the reality of death,” but to give everyone involved the strength to heal.

The service also included a violin solo by Terry Coulton, a member of the Newman community. She said she chose to play a piece by Bach in hope that her music would bring peace to the Dutlers and their friends.

Walters said she will remember Mr. Dutler as a fun loving man who was “always in a good mood and loved to talk about his children and grandchildren.”

Lanham said Mrs. Dutler is like a mother, with nurturing instincts, and he hopes everyone will continue to pray for her recovery.