T-ball team trying to cope with New Carlisle boys' deaths

NEW CARLISLE — The community of New Carlisle continues to grieve the loss of 4-year-old Dominick Wilk and 2-year-old Issac Dunner.

Both boys succumbed to hyperthermia this past week after they were found in a locked car trunk on Friday.

On Wednesday evening, Dominick's T-ball team celebrated both boys’ lives with a moment of silence before their game.

This was the first game since the young boys died.

The coaches wanted everyone to know just how special they were to their team and the community.

"This is going to be tough tonight, it really is,” said T-Ball Coach Gary MacMillan.

Before the Green Gators took to the turf, they lowered their caps and bowed their heads. And the little boys' family joined them on the field.

"Dominick was a T-ball player in our little league program," said the president of the New Carlisle Little League Board.

“When I found out Saturday afternoon that there wasn't any more time with him, it's been tougher every day," said Coach Gary MacMillan.

Dominick's number, 7, was painted on the field so they never forget.

"Every time you look at your kid right now, [I’m] that much more grateful that everything is OK," said MacMillan's wife, Kim.

Kim knew each parent there was in pain.

“Tear up a little everyday I think," Kim said.

But do the little T-ball players understand what's going on?

"They understand that Dominick is not playing for the team right now, but they don't understand the whole depth," Kim said.

The MacMillan's son, 4-year-old Braden, is on the Green Gators. Kim said Braden is asking a lot of questions and she's struggling to give him answers.

"You don't want them to understand just yet, I think," Kim said.

Right now the MacMillans said while this is difficult for the kids to grasp, they just want them to play their hearts out, for Dominick and Issac.

"You keep going, you play, you think of him when you're out there playing," Kim said.

Visitation for Dominick Wilk and Issac Dunner is from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the St. Joseph Funeral Home on Mayflower Road.

The funeral is Friday at the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church.