Funeral services set for Darren Bailey’s family members killed in helicopter crash

Funeral services have been scheduled for four members of Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s family who died in a helicopter crash last week in Montana.

Darren Bailey’s son Zachary Bailey, 37, his daughter-in-law Kelsey, 35, and two grandchildren, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7, of Xenia died in the crash. A third grandchild, 10-year-old Finn Bailey, was not in the helicopter and is safe, according to a statement from Darren Bailey’s campaign.

Darren Bailey, who is a Republican, lives on his family farm near Louisville, which is in Clay County south of Effingham. He was the GOP candidate for governor in 2022 and has filed to run in the 2026 primary.

The National Transportation Safety Board has reported it was investigating the Oct. 22 crash of a Robinson Helicopter R66 near Ekalaka, Montana, in the southeast part of the state.

The visitation will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Oil Belt Christian Service Camp at 555 Park Road in Flora, according to an obituary posted by Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.

A celebration of life service will be at 9 a.m. Monday at the Oil Belt camp. A private burial is planned.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to support Finn Bailey.