DeKALB | A benefit will take place this Saturday in honor of the husband of a former NIU student, who died last month due to complications resulting from a bee sting.

John Meier, who died on Oct. 4, will be remembered at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.

Tonya Meier, a 2005 graduate and business major, along with some of the couple’s close friends, put together a dinner and auction. Proceeds will pay for the hospital treatments Tonya’s husband had to go through.

Tickets will be sold at the door for $20 and include a dinner at 6 p.m. An auction will begin shortly after dinner with items including a signed Garrett Wolfe jersey, an autographed Chicago Bears football and skybox NIU football tickets.

Numerous donations have been received from businesses in the community, said Vicki Thompson, Grant Dining secretary and mother of Tonya.

“The local business owners have been extremely generous in this time of need for the family,” Thompson said.

John went into shock immediately following the bee sting and died several days later, Thompson said. After his death at Kishwaukee Community Hospital, six of John’s organs were donated, three of which traveled all the way to Chicago.

“It was the largest donation that Kishwaukee Hospital had ever received,” Thompson said.

It has been hard for Tonya as they were married for just over one year.

“They really loved each other,” Thompson said.

Meier is survived by three sisters, a brother and also his wife.

Michael Van Der Harst is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.