The Madera community is mourning the loss of Landon Guglielmana, who died suddenly in an early morning auto accident on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, in South Carolina at the young age of 18. He was returning from the Thanksgiving holiday to Limestone College, where he was a member of Limestone’s inaugural men’s volleyball team. Landon was in his first year of college at Limestone, after graduating from Madera South High School in 2009.

While at Madera South, Landon played on the boy’s volleyball team, where he was the school’s career leader in digs, aces and kills. He wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps as a high school volleyball coach, and planned on becoming a high school math teacher. He also played football, basketball, wrestled, and was involved in Leadership. He had a great sense of humor, played video games, kept a fun Facebook presence and was a recognized and wellloved leader in every phase of his life. He was the first to ever receive a diploma from Madera South’s inaugural graduating class of 2009 while finishing second in his class, Cum Laude. He has now graduated to his eternal reward where he has finished his life’s race early. He will be greatly missed by all, but his loving memory will never be forgotten. For the Christian, this is not a permanent goodbye but a “See you soon,” because of the hope in Christ Jesus. Landon loved and enjoyed life to the fullest, loved his friends, his family, and especially his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He sought to place Christ first in all his life’s decisions. At Limestone, he was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Christian Education and Leadership Program. He was a beacon of light at the college, always willing to share his faith with fellow classmates and teammates. He excelled in every sport he played while living the Christian competitor’s creed which declares in part, “I am a Christian first and last… and as a Christian competitor I face my challenger with the face of Christ.” All who know him recognized that his face reflected the joy of Jesus constantly. More importantly his character and integrity demonstrated that Jesus was the one he sought to glorify and emulate.

Landon was the best big brother to his siblings, the pride and joy of his parents and family, and a devoted member of Biola Congregational Church. He would want more than anything for those who knew him to give their lives to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior so that all would be reassured of a reunion in heaven where Jesus has welcomed him to his eternal home.

He is survived by his parents Steve and Danene Guglielmana of Madera, his brothers and sisters Jared, Jacklyn, Donovan and Sarah Guglielmana, as well as his grandparents Don and Fran Bishel of Madera, and grandmother Kay Guglielmana of Madera. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Alden (Nono) Guglielmana.Landon was blessed with numerous aunts and uncles, including Gary and Marilyn Harvey of Beaumont; Allen and Susan Cosyns of Madera; Mark and Juliana Guglielmana of Redwood City; Don and Sloan Bishel of San Ramon; Bruce and Denise Kinabrew of Madera; Darren and Vanessa Bishel of Madera; and Michael and Deanna Saporetti of Hanford. He was also blessed with numerous cousins. Landon is also survived by his family Anthony and Shelynn Bonnet, Kaiden Bonnet, Dylan Bonnet, David MacIntyre, Jeanie Carrigan, the Markle family, the Russ family and the Moglia family. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Hershel Carrigan.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, at 9:30 a.m. at Arbor Vitae Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Madera South High School’s West Gym on Pine Street in Madera at 11 a.m.

Remembrances can be made to either the Biola Congregational Church Memorial Fund or the Landon Guglielmana Scholarship Fund, both at P.O. Box 307, Biola, CA 93606.

A memorial service will also be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Limestone College Gym in Gaffney.

An online guest register is available at: www.blakelyfuneralhome. com.