Vigil held for Hughesville teen killed in plane crash

Hughesville, Pa. — One week after a teenager tragically died in a plane crash, friends and family gathered for a vigil to remember her.

Teenage pilot Maisie Bitler, 17, crashed her aircraft in a wooded area near Lock Haven on July 4. Devastation gripped the community of Hughesville. Out of this sorrow, Chelsea Reese and her daughter Maddie decided to organize a vigil as a way for the community to honor and mourn Bitler.

The vigil unfolded under a somber sky, reflecting the evening's subdued atmosphere. Approximately 150 people gathered quietly, united in their grief for Bitler. While the mood was solemn, the outpouring of love from the community was palpable.

The remembrance began with open speeches. Reese spoke first, describing Maisie as "the light in the room." Following her, Maisie’s grandmother delivered poignant remarks, highlighting Maisie’s kindness and dedication: "She would help anyone who was struggling. There was a way about her."

Mourners lit candles as Hughesville students came together to sing one of Maisie’s favorite songs, "Sweet Caroline," followed by the Hughesville alma mater. Reese, aided by others, released lanterns into the sky in Maisie’s honor.

Paige Kepner, a friend and fellow Hughesville High School graduate, reminisced about Maisie’s cheerful personality, recalling a lighthearted moment from gym class where they had all fallen together while goofing around.

Reese said she organized the vigil because she and her daughter, who was friends with Bitler, wanted to do something special in her memory.

"Not like, you know, when you send the plates (of food) to family, or flowers; she wanted to do something memorializing. So all I did was put everything on Facebook, and it got shared and shared. The next thing I knew, it was on the news. I didn’t expect all this but I wouldn’t expect anything less from us. We are one big community.”

In the face of tragedy, the Hughesville community gathered to honor Bitler, whose vibrant spirit touched countless lives. Maisie was remembered, not just for her joyful presence, but also for her kindness and willingness to help others. As candles flickered and voices joined in song, it was clear that Bitler's legacy would endure through the love and support of a community united in both grief and solidarity.

In Hughesville, where memories of Bitler will forever be cherished, the bonds of community proved stronger than the pain of loss, reminding us all of the enduring power of love and remembrance.