Fundraiser set to help Lily Lake crash victim's family

A fund has been set up to help the wife and children of Michael Kurbyun, who died last month in a snowmobile accident at age 31.

Also, there will be a fundraiser for the family from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, 3232 Pleasant St. in DeKalb. The event includes a lunch of barbecue pork chops and chicken from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost for lunch is $10. Guests will also be able to take a 25-minute airplane ride for $25.

Former employees and friends are attempting to keep Kurbyun's business going. He owned and operated Midwest Flight Academy, which is based at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport.

Kurbyun died when the snowmobile he was riding overturned on a Lily Lake bike path Feb. 7, trapping him underneath, authorities said.

Karen Kurbyun and her four children, ages 2 to 7, live in St. Charles. She is pregnant with her fifth child.

"We want to keep the flight academy going," said Tom Stellman of Elgin. "The academy has five employees, four flight instructors and a secretary. They're hanging in there with me."

Stellman owns Catom Trucking in Geneva. He and Kurbyun became friends about five years ago after Stellman took flying lessons from him. Stellman later acquired Midwest Aviation, based in Cortland, and Kurbyun would rent planes from Stellman.

"He was very outgoing and personable," Stellman said of Kurbyun. "His charisma helped generate his business. It's a sad situation."

Donations for the family may be sent to Chase Bank, 500 N. Shady Oaks Drive, Elgin, IL 60120. Checks should be designated for the Kurbyun family or account 9308 in the memo section.

For more information, call Chase Bank at (847) 289-4066.