Event set to benefit pilot's wife, kids

Michael Kurbyun was an outgoing person who made his passion his work. There were many days, when the St. Charles pilot was flying, he'd turn to his best friend and say: "This is what it's all about."

Friends are hoping to honor that spirit with a fundraiser on Saturday to support his wife and children.

Kurbyun, 31, died after his snowmobile flipped Feb. 7 near Elburn. He is survived by his wife, Karen, three sons and one daughter. His wife is pregnant with their fifth child, due in July.

As the owner of Midwest Flight Academy in DeKalb, Kurbyun made friends from all over the area. One of those was Tom Stellman, a flight student who later became Kurbyun's business partner.

"We would just go out and do casual flying just for the heck of it," he said. "He liked being around the airport."

Stellman and other friends have kept the flight school open to help the family. They are hoping Saturday's fundraiser can make an even bigger impact.

The fundraiser will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, 3232 Pleasant St., DeKalb, northeast of Illinois 38 and Peace Road.

Lunch and the use of the facility have been donated. Lunch will be $10, with all of the money raised going to the family.

Plane rides of 25 minutes will be available for $25. There also will be raffles to ride in a Russian L-39 fighter jet and an F-17.

Stellman said people of all ages will find something interesting at the airport.

"It's an active place on a Saturday," he said. "It's always nice to be at an airport. There's always something going on."

A fund has been set up to benefit Kurbyun's family at Chase Bank, 500 N. Shady Oaks Drive, Elgin, IL 60120; Attention: Matthew Wilhelmi; Account #9308.