Earlier this week two men drowned in Pokegama Lake near Grand Rapids.

Now a community mourns the loss of these men who contributed so much.

Boua Xiong has their story.

What happened here on Pokegama Lake Sunday afternoon is tough for many to talk about.

The youth group from Faith Baptist Church came here to enjoy the outdoors. What happened next, no one expected.

"Nathan and Herm and several boys were wading in the water, while the other adults and kids stayed at the boathouse. Nathan and Herm came to the aid of a boy who had been caught up in turbulent waters off the point of the island. Herm gave up his life vest, and they put it on him. After securing the boy, Nathan and Herm were pushed by the wind and the waves from the shallow sandbar into deep water where they were unable to make it back to shore."

Sixty-one-year-old Al Hermiston, fondly known as Herm, was found unconscious and was pulled from the water. He was taken to the ER but did not survive. Thirty-year-old Nathan Junker's body was found on Monday.

"It doesn't surprise anybody that they gave up themselves to save..to help another who was in distress. It would be just like them to do that."

The church and community that Herm and Nathan loved so much will gather this week to mourn. But they also want to celebrate who these men were.

"Herm was like a grandfather and Nathan like an older brother and they will be dearly missed."

"Nathan was originally hired as our youth pastor just because we wanted somebody that would focus directly on our youth. We looked at his background, his resume and you looked at his life it was always focused on youth, again, helping others."

"Herm, it's like I've known him all my life. He loved life. He was a man who loved life and he loved people. He was willing to share himself in so many ways."

Herm is survived by his wife, 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Nathan is survived by his wife, and four young children.

Now, church members say the same faith that guided Herm and Nathan's lives will be the same faith that must guide them through this loss.

A memorial account has been set up for the young family of Nathan Junker.

Funds can be donated at any Wells Fargo Bank.