John R. Nelson's mom and girlfriend leaned against each other in the All-Faith Chapel yesterday, silently consoling each other in the first pew.

The two were beacons of strength: Bette Nelson, John Nelson's mom, and Anya Ryba, his girlfriend, stood in front of a full chapel and recounted Nelson's life and accomplishments, sometimes rousing nostalgic laughter from the sniffling crowd.

"When John said he was going to do something, he did it -- except maybe take out the trash," Bette Nelson said about her only child, whose grinning portrait stood at the foot of the altar.

Nelson died in a car accident on the morning of March 18. He was a Penn State sophomore forestry major, the vice president of the Penn State Rifle Club and Field Team leader for Centre County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team.

"John was the soul and essence of our team's motto: 'so others may live,' " Centre County Sheriff Denny Nau said, recalling Nelson's contributions to the Search and Rescue team. "John's influence on us will cause a rippling effect, passed on to others through eternity."

The memorial service held an underlying current of gratitude. Speakers said they were thankful to have known Nelson -- someone who changed the lives of everyone he touched, Ryba said. "My life is now totally different than it was before," she said, telling friends and family how Nelson had opened her eyes with his passion for the outdoors. "We had a life planned out in front of us, and we were very much in love."

In perhaps the most emotional moment of the service, a poem Nelson wrote in 2000 was read.

"I am someone who loves the outdoors and to shoot in competitions ... I try to accomplish all of my goals," the poem read.

Those gathered in the chapel laughed through tears as Bette Nelson gave a speech about her only son, highlighting family members who impacted her son's life.

"That is John -- that smile," she said, pointing at his picture.