BEASON — Two months after a family was found slain in their Beason home, residents of the small town are getting ready for the holidays while acknowledging that life will never be the same.

“I think the healing is progressing very well. I don’t see the fear and apprehension that was so very evident early on,” said the Rev. Dayle Badman, pastor of Beason United Methodist Church.

Church attendance is up since the Sept. 21 discovery of the Rick and Ruth Gee family in the family’s home on the north edge of town. Among those now coming to services are half a dozen teenagers, said Badman.

Beason resident George Fishburn said people are starting to return to their routines but two months isn’t long enough to bury the memories of what police said was a brutal struggle before the family was bludgeoned with a tire iron. Two brothers from Armington are charged with murder in the case.

“I would say the town is doing pretty well but Beason will never be the same. Right now, it’s still too early,” said Fishburn.

The continued improvement in the condition of the lone survivor of the killings —Tabitha Gee, the couple’s daughter who just turned 4 — has helped the community heal, said Badman.

The child was hospitalized with critical head injuries but is now living with a foster family in the Chicago area.

“Since there are going to be times when the tragedy comes more mind with the holidays, the knowledge we have of Tabitha’s situation and continuing recovery is giving people a great sense of peace,” said Badman.

The church held several community services after the Gee family was killed and plans to open its doors in the coming weeks. People will gather for a potluck luncheon Nov. 29 after the church is decorated for the holidays.

The windows of the Gee home have been boarded up and crime scene tape is still wrapped around the boundaries of the property to keep curious onlookers away. Flowers, stuffed animals and notes of affection form a makeshift memorial in the front yard.

It’s impossible for Beason residents to pass the house without remembering the tragedy.

“When you come into town, it’s the first house you see. Maybe when the caution tape comes down it won’t be such a constant reminder,” said Ken Hutchinson, who serves as Oran Township supervisor.

The small town has grown closer since the Gee family was slain, said Hutchinson.

“You have people looking out for each other more. We did that before, but we’re a little more aware of it now. Beason is a little town and things like this bring everybody together,” said Hutchinson.

As the Beason community works to get back on its feet, the criminal cases are moving forward against two Armington brothers charged with the slayings of the Gee family and attempted murder of Tabitha Gee.

Christopher J. Harris, 30, and Jason L. Harris, 30, remain jailed without bond on murder charges that make them eligible for the death penalty. Chris Harris was once married to Nichole Gee, Rick’s Gee’s daughter.

Authorities said the two men robbed the Gees of a computer while armed with a tire iron and attempted to sexually assault one of the Gee children, Jessica Gee, 16.

Facing obstruction of justice charges in the case is Sara Duncan of Sarasota, Fla., and her daughter, Jennifer Earnest of Armington, who is the girlfriend of Jason Harris. The women are accused of giving police a false alibi for Chris Harris.

FYI

Victims: Five members of the Raymond “Rick” and Ruth Gee family died of blunt force trauma to the head: Rick, 46; Ruth, 39; daughter Justina Constant, 16; sons Dillen Constant, 14, and Austin Gee, 11. Daughter Tabitha Gee, now 4, was critically injured but has been released from the hospital and is in state foster care.

When: The family was found dead Sept. 21 in their Beason home.

Why: Authorities have not released a motive.

Suspects: Brothers Christopher J. Harris, 30, and Jason L. Harris, 22, both of Armington, are charged with more than 50 first-degree murder counts and additional charges of armed robbery, home invasion, residential burglary and the attempted criminal sexual assault. Jason Harris’ girlfriend, Jennifer Earnest, 24, Armington, and her mother, Sara Duncan, 43, Sarasota, Fla., both are charged with obstruction of justice after police said they provided a false alibi for Chris Harris. Jason Harris recently had reconciled with ex-wife Nicole Gee, the oldest daughter of Rick Gee, and they have two children.