A poignant hymn resurfaces as the congregation mourns a tragic drowning death

On August 24, David Bell, Peter On and Jeannine Skinner tragically drowned in a whirlpool while rappelling in the Sierra Nevada. As hundreds prepare to celebrate their lives, powerful reminders of faith and testimony continue to emerge.

One such memory is of Jeannine, a nutritionist who loved swing dancing and much more and played “Sweet Hour of Prayer” on her guitar.

Jeannine posted the video online in November 2020. She wrote: “Hi friends, I hope you like this anthem! With the ongoing COVID outbreaks, my prayers are with you, especially my friends who work in healthcare and all my friends who are in need during this time. As I was playing guitar this afternoon, 'Sweet Hour of Prayer' seemed like the fitting song to sing and share today.”

On the GoFundMe page set up to transport Jeannine's body to Utah and pay for funeral expenses, her family wrote: “Her warm personality attracted others and made them feel comfortable. She was adventurous and loved being outdoors. She was always the first to stand up for others and bring peace in the face of conflict. Perhaps it was the sparkle in her eyes or her natural smile that brought out the best in everyone. She will leave a void in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.”

Jeannine had abseiled on the very last pass of the group during the canyoning trip. She landed in a small pool of water and was caught in the whirlpool. Peter jumped to save her and was also caught. David followed them to help them and all three drowned.

According to his obituary, Peter was “an adventurer in the truest sense of the word. He lived by the motto 'Carpe diem' and always enjoyed life's moments with passion and enthusiasm. Pete's love of the outdoors was infectious – surfing, canyoning, skiing, volleyball, soccer and golf were just some of the activities that filled his active life. But more than his adventures, it was his love of family and friends that set him apart. Pete valued his relationships and always put those he cared about first.”

David was known as the owner of Runtastic Events, which hosted many popular races throughout Utah. A friend, Scott Jarvie, wrote online, “Dave has always treated me wonderfully and that means a lot to me, but I love the wonderful impact he has had on the lives of so many of you and the way he has brought smiles to so many of you. It inspires me to be a better person and to be the kind of person that brings love and life to those around me and creates great things (like he did with racing) that improve the lives around him.”

Cyndi Bell Miller, David's sister, told KSL News that Jeannine and David had been together on and off. “Just two weeks ago he told us, 'I think I'm going to marry Jeannine,'” she said.

His family has also started a GoFundMe campaign for David.

A public Facebook group has been created where loved ones can share memories and prepare for various events to honor her life.