Mikey Muniz lived life to the max. When he played, he played hard. He loved his family, stood up for his friends, and he treasured his car.

It was in that car, a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, that Mikey and three of his friends perished in a horrific crash on Dairy Road in Lower Towamensing Township on Friday, Dec. 19.

On Saturday, family and friends of the 17-year-old Palmerton teenager fill the spacious hall of Christ Evangelical Free Church, Mahoning Township to share memories and tears, hugs and laughter.

The back of the hall is lined with posters bearing snapshots of Mikey throughout his short life: In his beloved Blue Bombers football jersey, number 83, now retired in his honor; grinning as he sits with his Grandpop and Nana on a Maine vacation; as a baby, splashing in a wading pool; as a toddler, wearing sunglasses; as a teenager, clowning with friends.

His family sits facing the posters, accepting the hugs and pats, the hand squeezes and cheek kisses of what seems an endless line of mourners.

Life will never be the same for his father, Michael S. Muniz, mother Tammy L. DeLorey-Reitz and her fiancé Timothy P. Schaub, sister, Taylor Schaub, and brothers, Austin DeLorey and Eric Reitz.

Later, the Rev. Greg Laible leads a procession as the ark carrying the urn of Mikey's ashes is carried to the stage.

The crowd settles down in their seats. A few wipe tears with soggy, crumpled tissues.

Rev. Laible steps to the podium. He speaks of Mikey's smile, a smile that "would just envelop the room" when he walked in.

He speaks of Mikey's love of all things physical, of biking, swimming, basketball, wrestling.

Of racing. It was in the family blood, Laible says.

"He looked forward to racing, maybe right down the road," he says, referring to nearby Mahoning Valley Speedway.

"But his journey was cut short. Fitting enough, he had his final moments here on Earth in a car," he says.

Later, Laible talks about the imperfection of man, and the saving grace of God.

Mikey's friends speak, telling of his sense of humor, his drive to win at any sport he played.

Ben DeLong, who lives across the street from the Muniz family, recounts the time they spent together, playing basketball, going to McDonald's for cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets in Mikey's beloved Chevy, and hanging out in Mikey's garage.

"He had a big heart. A really big heart," he says. "Now, I go outside my house, and wonder if I'll ever see Mikey again. He'll aways be in my heart."