Photo of Mark Fike, 11, who died on Monday after he and two of his siblings were hit by a car at their bus stop on Geibel Road in Summit Township.Mark, holding the snake, is pictured with his 6-year-old brother Ryan, middle, who suffered a head injury in the incident, and brother Emmett, right, who was not involved in the accident.Mark's grandmother, Donna Fike, said the youngster loved to catch creatures, fish and generally be outdoors.

SUMMIT TWP — The grandmother of 11-year old Mark Fike, who died shortly after being struck by a car on Monday morning at his bus stop, said her grieving family has a message for all those who have prayed for the family, sent cards, donated to the

online fundraiser in Mark's memory or even held the family in their heart for a few moments. “We are amazed and we appreciate it as a family,” said Donna Fike. “It's a show of love from those who can't be with us, that they are willing to help us however they can.”Asked about the gofundme.com fundraiser that has so far amassed $20,170 as of 4:47 p.m.The family has also asked the public not to bring flowers, balloons, stuffed animals or any memorial items to the scene of the accident.Fike said the family appreciates the outpouring of love in their time of grief, but feels a memorial would be too hard for their younger children, Lyssa, 9; Ryan, 6; and Emmett, 5.Lyssa and Ryan were injured in the accident, in which a paraprofessional from the Fike children's school was apparently blinded by the sun's glare and didn't see them waiting for the bus outside of their Geibel Road home.Both are home from the hospital and recovering from minor injuries, Fike said, but the family feels the emotional strain would be worsened by a memorial, no matter how well-meaning.The family appreciates the show of support from family, friends and the community, Fike said.

This is an excerpt — read more about the Fike family in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.