Four employees of Des Moines-based Two Rivers Marketing were killed last week when the plane they had chartered for a day business trip to South Bend, Ind., crashed about a half-hour into the return flight home.

Tom Dunphy, Eric Jacobs, Leslie O’Bannon and Josh Trainor chartered the Cessna 303 for a day trip so that they could return home to their families last Monday evening. The plane crashed about 10 miles after takeoff, also killing the pilot, John Trewet.

“Words cannot express how much these individuals meant to us as friends and teammates, and among them was a leader and mentor, Tom Dunphy,” company spokesman Jeff White said. “Our deepest sympathy goes out to the husbands and wives, a fiancée, parents, children and other family members who we know are grieving the loss of loved ones.”

Dunphy, 41, was a co-founder, owner and president of Two Rivers. He is survived by his wife, Dana, and three sons.

O’Bannon, 27, was an account executive at the firm. She is survived by her husband, John, and a daughter.

Jacobs, 31, was the company’s information technology leader. He is survived by his wife, Heather, who is nearly eight months pregnant, and four sons.

Trainor, 23, an information technology specialist, is survived by his fiancée, Heather.

Two Rivers Marketing lists several construction equipment companies as clients, including Ingersoll Rand, Vermeer and Bobcat.

Contributions can be made to a memorial fund for the victims' families at the following address:

Families of Two Rivers Marketing Memorial Fund
c/o MetaBank
4848 86th St.
Urbandale, IA 50322

Call (515) 309-9800 with questions about memorial donations or visit www.tworiversmarketing.com.