Memorial service held for families affected by crematory

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE - Some have learned their deceased loved ones were among the discarded corpses found at the Tri-State Crematory. Others never will know what happened to their relatives. <br> <br> They grieved together Saturday at a memorial service organized for families affected by the crematory case. Area pastors spoke and singers performed for about 100 people. <br> <br> Michelle Staton was among those in attendance. She hadn&#39;t had a chance to hold a second memorial service for her father, whose body was among the 339 discarded corpses found on the crematory grounds since Feb. 15. Only 109 have been identified. <br> <br> ``I wouldn&#39;t have missed this for the world,&#39;&#39; said Staton, whose father died more than a year ago. ``We just got the ashes back, and didn&#39;t have any chance to organize anything formal.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Staton wrote ``I love you, Daddy! Rest in Peace&#39;&#39; on a white cross built and signed by recovery workers at the crematory, which is 20 miles south of Chattanooga. The cross rested on the auditorium&#39;s stage and will become part of a permanent memorial for the victims. <br> <br> However, others were not comforted by the service. Some left during a talk by Ben Haden, former pastor of Chattanooga&#39;s First Presbyterian Church. <br> <br> ``You know what we can learn form Noble?&#39;&#39; he asked. ``How separate we are from our bodies. The spiritual being is the real person, and the body where it breathes is just where God put it.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Doris Mitchell of Sequatchie took issue with Haden&#39;s words. <br> <br> ``There&#39;s a time and place for preaching, but to me this wasn&#39;t one of them,&#39;&#39; she told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. <br> <br> Tri-State operator Ray Brent Marsh, 28, is charged with more than 200 felony counts of theft by deception for allegedly accepting payment for cremations not performed. He has remained jailed since last month.