The little brother of a nine-year-old fatally stabbed at a playground near his western Michigan home had touching and shockingly mature words to share at a memorial service Wednesday. Kameron Verkerke, at just 7-years-old, told a packed church in Kent County that his brother Connor--who he helped get home in the wake of the tragedy--would have wanted his family to stay strong despite their pain. 'It's hard to go through this,' Kameron said. 'But he's in a better place, and we know that he doesn't want us to be sad all our life. We know he wants us to be happy, even though it's really hard to.' Brave words: Dani Verkerke gives a high five to her son Kameron Verkerke, 7 after he spoke at his brother Michael Connor Verkerke's memorial . Grieving: A close family friend, left, hugs Connor's mother, Dani, during the church event . After Kameron's beautiful speech, his mother Dani gave him a much deserved high-five as the mournful event continued. Michael Connor Verkerke's 'life had barely begun,' Pastor Brad Kalajainen told the hundreds of mourners at Cornerstone Church. The . boy, called Connor by family and friends, was playing with some other . children on the playground in Kentwood, near Grand Rapids, on August 4, . when witnesses say one boy pulled a knife and stabbed Connor in the . back. Connor died at a hospital, and the alleged assailant, a 12-year-old, is facing a murder charge. The service was largely free of talk about the incident. Michael Connor Verkerke, aged nine, was fatally stabbed at a playground in Michigan - today friends and family remembered him during a memorial service (his father, Jared, pictured getting a hug before the event) Horrific: The nine-year-old was remembered as a big-hearted and fun-loving boy who was taken much too soon . State of shock: Connor's grandmother, Toni Nunemaker, gave a speech during the memorial service at Cornerstone Church in Caledonia, Michigan . 'It was all about Connor, whose father called him 'one of my heroes.' 'I have never known anybody' who loved as much as 'my nine-year-old son,' said Jared Verkerke. He was one of several family members, teachers and others who spoke at the service. Many attendees were dressed in their Boy Scouts uniforms. Connor was a Cub Scout and hoped to become an Eagle Scout one day. The scouts gave Connor a special 'Scout salute' in front of a collection of his favorite things, reports the Detroit Free Press, including a skateboard, a soccer ball and favorite books. As they later filed out, the scouts would salute Connor's family as the Beatle's song Blackbird played. Dearly missed: Crowds gather at a vigil held earlier this month for Connor . Connor was the oldest of four boys. A judge on Monday ordered a mental competency exam for the 12-year-old boy charged in Connor's death. The Associated Press isn't naming the 12-year-old because of his age. He's . designated as an adult in the juvenile court system, meaning he'd be . sentenced as a juvenile if convicted and then resentenced as an adult . once he turns 21. State . mental health experts will examine the 12-year-old and report on whether . they believe he is mentally competent to stand trial. That is expected to bring a delay of several months. Scene of the crime: The children's playground where Connor was stabbed .
Michael Connor Verkerke, aged nine, was fatally stabbed in a Michigan playground on August 4 .
He was playing with two of his brothers when a 12-year-old boy pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed him .
He spent his dying breaths telling his brother he loved him and re-assuring him that the shocking attack wasn't his fault .
Family and friends gathered at a memorial service Wednesday to remember him as big-hearted and fun-loving boy who was taken much too soon .
The little brother of a nine-year-old fatally stabbed at a playground near his western Michigan home had touching and shockingly mature words to share at a memorial service Wednesday. Kameron Verkerke, at just 7-years-old, told a packed church in Kent County that his brother Connor--who he helped get home in the wake of the tragedy--would have wanted his family to stay strong despite their pain. 'It's hard to go through this,' Kameron said. 'But he's in a better place, and we know that he doesn't want us to be sad all our life. We know he wants us to be happy, even though it's really hard to.' Brave words: Dani Verkerke gives a high five to her son Kameron Verkerke, 7 after he spoke at his brother Michael Connor Verkerke's memorial . Grieving: A close family friend, left, hugs Connor's mother, Dani, during the church event . After Kameron's beautiful speech, his mother Dani gave him a much deserved high-five as the mournful event continued. Michael Connor Verkerke's 'life had barely begun,' Pastor Brad Kalajainen told the hundreds of mourners at Cornerstone Church. The . boy, called Connor by family and friends, was playing with some other . children on the playground in Kentwood, near Grand Rapids, on August 4, . when witnesses say one boy pulled a knife and stabbed Connor in the . back. Connor died at a hospital, and the alleged assailant, a 12-year-old, is facing a murder charge. The service was largely free of talk about the incident. Michael Connor Verkerke, aged nine, was fatally stabbed at a playground in Michigan - today friends and family remembered him during a memorial service (his father, Jared, pictured getting a hug before the event) Horrific: The nine-year-old was remembered as a big-hearted and fun-loving boy who was taken much too soon . State of shock: Connor's grandmother, Toni Nunemaker, gave a speech during the memorial service at Cornerstone Church in Caledonia, Michigan . 'It was all about Connor, whose father called him 'one of my heroes.' 'I have never known anybody' who loved as much as 'my nine-year-old son,' said Jared Verkerke. He was one of several family members, teachers and others who spoke at the service. Many attendees were dressed in their Boy Scouts uniforms. Connor was a Cub Scout and hoped to become an Eagle Scout one day. The scouts gave Connor a special 'Scout salute' in front of a collection of his favorite things, reports the Detroit Free Press, including a skateboard, a soccer ball and favorite books. As they later filed out, the scouts would salute Connor's family as the Beatle's song Blackbird played. Dearly missed: Crowds gather at a vigil held earlier this month for Connor . Connor was the oldest of four boys. A judge on Monday ordered a mental competency exam for the 12-year-old boy charged in Connor's death. The Associated Press isn't naming the 12-year-old because of his age. He's . designated as an adult in the juvenile court system, meaning he'd be . sentenced as a juvenile if convicted and then resentenced as an adult . once he turns 21. State . mental health experts will examine the 12-year-old and report on whether . they believe he is mentally competent to stand trial. That is expected to bring a delay of several months. Scene of the crime: The children's playground where Connor was stabbed .
share at a memorial service Wednesday. Kameron church in Kent County that his brother playing with some other . children on the August 4, . when witnesses say one boy pulled a knife and stabbed Connor in the . back. Connor incident. Michael Connor Verkerke, aged nine, was fatally stabbed at a playground in Michigan - nine-year-old was remembered as a big-hearted and fun-loving boy who was taken much too soon .