Mark hadn't been gone a full day when more students started buckling their seat belts, something the senior and his cousin hadn't done Sunday. Lives are also changing in the Baptist community across the world, where many are kneeling in prayer for the son and grandson of well-known church leaders. Mark's father, Ken, is a pastor at Cherry Street Baptist. His grandfather, Dr. Kenneth Gillming, started the Springfield church in 1959 inside a two-car garage and now leads an international Bible fellowship consisting of thousands of churches. Lingo was driving along Greene County Farm Road 102 when he attempted to pass several cars, a hay wagon among them.
Authorities say another vehicle crested the hill, slamming into the cousins.
Lingo is in fair condition at a Springfield hospital. Shortly after Sunday's crash, calls came in from across the nation and outside the country. Several hundred are expected at Wednesday's funeral service inside Cherry Street. Amid his large church family, Mark's friends, teammates, coaches and teachers will be there. The funeral comes in the middle of homecoming week for Hillcrest Hornets.