PEORIA, Ill. - Funeral services for Bradley University student Phil Kaiser (Berwyn, Ill./Nazareth Academy), a junior utility player on the Braves baseball team who died early Monday morning, have been released by his family.
The family will host a wake Friday from 1-8 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Forest Park, Ill. (7750 W. Cermak Road). A funeral Mass will take place Saturday at noon at St. Odilo Catholic Church in Berwyn, Ill. (2244 East Avenue). Bradley University will host an on-campus memorial service at a future date to be determined. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Phil Kaiser Memorial Scholarship Fund (6959 Riverside Drive, Berwyn, IL 60402).
A communications major focusing on advertising, Kaiser (21) appeared in 39 games during his two-year Bradley career, primarily as a pitcher, first baseman and designated hitter. He had a 1-0 record on the mound in 12 career relief appearances and he hit .283 with two doubles in 60 career at-bats.
A two-time all-conference performer at Nazareth Academy, Kaiser earned all-state honors as a junior in 2007 and helped the Roadrunners win a regional championship his senior year in 2008.
The son of Philip and Natalie Kaiser, he also is survived by his three siblings Jaclyn (25), Jillian (22) and Michael (16).
Kaiser's biography page on the Bradley Athletics website, www.BradleyBraves.com, now includes a lengthy listing of memorial messages. Messages may be left by clicking HERE, or the designated link at the top of Kaiser's bio page, and will be posted at the bottom of his bio page upon review by athletic department staff.