Family, friends say goodbye to Isaiha Kobow



WEST MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- About 600 people lined the entrance to the West Milwaukee Intermediate School Saturday. They did so to say goodbye to a loved one. Funeral services were held there for 14-year-old Isaiha Kobow, one of two teens killed March 17th in a West Allis duplex fire.

"I can't thank them enough for being here and being supportive," said Isaiha's mom, Lori Cheever, "I never expected this, I never would've expected this but I'm so thankful."

Cheever said her focus now is to make sure her son impacts the lives of others, even in death.

"Three weeks prior to his passing, he was diagnosed with Asperger's (syndrome)," she said.

Cheever says the family is working to create a foundation that will raise money for Asperger's research. Although the planning is in its earliest stages, Cheever says the sudden loss of her son should remind everyone that it's never too soon to start chasing lofty goals.

"You're not guaranteed tomorrow so let's live our dreams today," Cheever said.

Isaiha's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2. The date has extra significance because it's Isaiha's birthday and is also World Autism Awareness Day.