Friends and family gathered to remember the life and laughter of an incoming Ball State freshman Friday morning.
More than 300 people attended the funeral of 18-year-old Austin Quinn, who died after being struck by an oncoming train while attempting to drive around the crossing gate last week.
The 2011 Burris Laboratory School graduate's friends referred to him as a big part of the "Burris family" at the service in Worthen Arena.
"Austin has not left our family," Quinn's friend Jennifer Watkins said during the funeral service. "If anything the last great thing he did on Earth was bring us back together. The warmth and love that Austin showed to each and every one of us will not rest with him, but shine through all of our hearts.
"We are all better people because of him."
Watkins described Quinn as an irreplaceable component and someone always ready to give members of the Burris family a hug.
Jordan Swoape, Quinn's best friend, said he finally realized the meaning of "you don't know what you have until it's gone."
Swoape said he and Quinn were inseparable and he is thankful he always took advantage of the time they spent together.
"It's just sad I can't hear his laugh anymore," he said. "The bond we share is still strong as ever and I know he will never leave my side."
Swoape described their bond as being more than just friends — they were brothers.
"We should never forget the moments he made us laugh, for then he shall surely never die," he said.
Austin Quinn's sister, Sarah, described her brother as modest and humorous. He always had a smile on his face and a sarcastic comment coming out of his lips.
After her brother's death, she and her father sat on his bed and talked about how he had got the most out of his short 18 years.
"Remember my brother's true love and passion for life," she said during the service. "Wake up every morning with a purpose and reason and make the most out of every day."
Now friends and family will hold onto memories of Austin to help put that smile on their faces just like he had.
"We will take his love with us everywhere we go," Watkins said.
Quinn died when he was traveling across the railroad tracks on Country Club Road, just south of Ind. 32, when the collision took place around 9 a.m. July 3, Lt. Arlan Johnson of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office said.
At the time, police believed Quinn was running an hour and a half late to work at the Delaware Country Club, but Mike Dunk, country club superintendent, later said Quinn was heading home after his early-morning shift as a golf course landscaper, the Muncie Star Press reported.
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