LeROY - Family, friends and classmates filled the sanctuary of LeRoy Christian Church on Friday to say goodbye to Duncan and Jack Leichtenberg, whose bodies were recovered Sunday near that of the father suspected of killing them. | Photo gallery | Text of 'My best friend' poem | Memorial fund set up

"Heaven is a better place because they are there," the Rev. Tim Vollstedt told more than 300 mourners.

The boys were reported missing March 8 after Michael Connolly failed to return them to LeRoy after a weekend visit. A nationwide search supervised by the McLean County Sheriff's Department ended three weeks later when the boys were found in the back seat of their father's car in a remote area near Henry.

Connolly's body was found about 60 yards away, where he had apparently hanged himself.

The 30-minute service included readings by Noah Stengel, the best friend of 7-year-old Jack, and Dylan Woolridge, best friend of Duncan, 9.

Noah recalled how he and Jack shared a love of Batman. One of several small tables set up around the church was covered with Batman toys and other action figures Jack enjoyed.

Many people hugged their children and cried during Woolridge's recitation of a 15-stanza poem titled "My Best Friend."

"I turned around and you were gone, a flash and you disappeared, time was stolen from our friendship, being gone makes my stomach feel weird," Woolridge said.

Amy Leichtenberg, the boys' mother, sat in the front row with her parents and other family members, sobbing throughout the service.

Two closed white caskets sat at the front of the church. A spray of flowers in blue and green - the boys' favorite colors - and a photo of each boy rested on the caskets.

Vollstedt told the crowd the service was the most difficult of his ministry. The boys were innocent victims, he said.

"Jack and Duncan were good kids who did nothing to deserve this to happen," said the minister.

Police officers assigned to the search team sat in a row of folding chairs at the back of the church.

The hearses carrying the boys passed through streets lined with green and blue balloons. Employees at the local IGA store released balloons as the long line of cars passed by.

"My son went to school with Jack in second grade. Everyone knows everyone in this small town. We're here to show our support for them," said IGA worker Diane Gillespie.