'Sending Lisa love' on her birthday

It was not the birthday celebration they had planned.

Family and friends of Lisa Stebic gathered with members of the community Saturday night for a candlelight vigil and balloon release on the missing Plainfield mom's 38th birthday.

"We're sending Lisa love wherever she is. We're celebrating her birthday," said Melanie Greenberg, wife of Stebic's cousin Mark Greenberg.

About 150 people gathered for the sad celebration, held next to the impromptu Lisa Stebic memorial at the park near the Stebic home. The memorial has been rebuilt since it was trashed earlier this week.

Stebic was reported missing by a neighbor May 1. Her husband, Craig, said the last time he knew she was in the house was 6 p.m. April 30. She left with her cell phone and credit cards, which have not been used since her disappearance.

After releasing almost 700 pink, purple and blue balloons into the Saturday night sky, the group lit candles "to light Lisa's way home," said Leigh Harris, a close friend of Melanie Greenberg.

Harris traveled from Phoenix, Ariz., to take part in the birthday vigil. A former producer for the CBS affiliate in Phoenix, she met Melanie Greenberg online more than two years ago and has helped Lisa Stebic's family build the Web site www.findlisastebic.com and plan community events, such as the vigil.

Jenny Mesirow and her mother, Kathy Masleid, traveled from the Homewood, Ind., area to share their support with the family.

"(Lisa Stebic's disappearance) touched me the moment I heard about it, and I said a prayer right then and there," Mesirow said. "With the outpouring of hope from everyone, it touched me, and I really do feel like I know her."

Masleid and friend Joanne Stoklasa read about the vigil on the Web site and volunteered their musical talents for the occasion. Accompanied by drums and guitar, the two performed several songs, including Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," as the group cut pieces of Lisa Stebic's birthday cake.

Melanie Greenberg read a statement from Lisa Stebic's sisters Debbie Ruttenberg and Jamie Bouma, who spent the day with their parents, who live out of state. Lisa Stebic's husband, Craig Stebic, was absent from the vigil, along with the couple's two children, 12-year-old Lexi and 10-year-old Zach. The couple is divorcing, although they still share their Plainfield home.

Mark Greenberg and Pastor Ron Schehr of Hope Lutheran Church offered prayers for Lisa Stebic's safe return, and several friends spoke of her laughter and love of children.

"Lisa, we will save a piece of cake for you to enjoy on your safe return," said Kim Young, Lisa Stebic's supervisor at Lincoln Elementary School where they work for Sodexho food service.

The vigil ended as the group sang "Happy Birthday" to their missing loved one.

Earlier in the day, volunteers from the community handed out free balloons and magnets at Plainfield's Spring Fest. The magnets featured a small picture of Stebic, the phone number of the Plainfield Police Department's special tip hot line and the Web site address.

Contact Emily McFarlan at emcfarlan@scn1.com or 630-416-5196.