Memorial services were held Saturday for three victims killed in the San Bernardino massacre.
Nicholas Thalasinos, a 52-year-old husband and father from Colton, was honored by family and friends at Shiloh Messianic Congregation in Calimesa at 10 a.m.
Thalasinos was one of 14 people shot and killed Dec. 2 when two attackers, a coworker and his wife, opened fire on San Bernardino County employees celebrating a holiday party at a state-run health center.
Thalasinos was described as a politically outspoken Messianic Jew who passionately defended Israel. Thalasinos actively debated religion in online forums and in person, according to his wife, Jennifer. She said he is "in the arms of God" and that he was a martyr for his faith.
A memorial service for 27-year-old Sierra Clayborn was also held Saturday. Clayborn was a graduate of the University of California, Riverside and a county food inspector based in Big Bear.
Her family had no idea Clayborn was in San Bernardino when mayhem erupted at the staff holiday party and now, they say they're focused on her goodness, knowing the world has lost someone special.
"She was very highly intelligent," her brother Winston Eatmon said. "She always tried to push me to do well in school, possibly better than her. ...She was amazing."
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Services for Clayborn were held at 11 a.m. at Moriah Baptist Church in South Los Angeles.
Another victim, 37-year-old Michael Wetzel was remembered at Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Twin Peaks near Lake Arrowhead at 1 p.m.
Wetzel worked as a supervising environmental health specialist for San Bernardino County.
Wetzel and his wife, Renee, had a blended family with six children ranging in age from 1 to 14.
"He was my best friend and an incredible father who was loved by all," Renee Wetzel told the Press Enterprise. "He loved his work and his family so very much. Without him, this family will never be the same."
The FBI is investigating the massacre as an act of terror. Shooters Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik were radicalized well before Malik came to the U.S. on a fiancee visa and had discussed jihad and martyrdom as early as 2013, according to the agency.
