It's been 73 years since two Second World War airmen went missing in Lake Muskoka.

Today, a funeral service for the two men was finally held.

It was the last chapter in a long story of two men who have been missing for years. Today in Guelph families and friends of Ted Bates and Peter Campbell finally had the chance to say goodbye.

“We've waited 73 years to have this closure come today and we're really happy,” says Ted’s younger brother Tom Bates.

For the Bates and Campbell families, today marks the end of a long journey. The bodies of Flight Lieutenant Peter Campbell of the Royal Air Force and leading aircraftsman Ted Bates of the Royal Canadian Air Force have finally been laid to rest.

 “When you have a service member that has served the country and has given the ultimate sacrifice, I think it's important that we recognize the contribution that they made, the value that they made,” says Col. Simon Sukstorf with the RCAF

Their sacrifice happened over 70 years ago. The men went missing in 1940 while on a rescue mission for another pilot. Their plane collided with another aircraft and then crashed into Lake Muskoka

“I did make a promise to them when I was out on the lake,” says Matt Fairbrass with Lost Airmen of Muskoka. “I looked down into the water and said I'm going to get you guys. Give me a hand here. Where are you?”

In 2007, Fairbrass was looking for artifacts in the area for an exhibit. He discovered the wreckage of the missing plane using side scan sonar. This was the first hope the families had had in years.

“It was Tom that actually told us that his brother was still in the plane, and suddenly the shift went from finding an artifact – it was wrong that he was left there in this lake.”

It wasn't until 2010 that OPP divers confirmed the wreckage was the one they were looking for. And just last year the remains of the two missing servicemen were pulled from the water and plans were made for today's ceremony.

“We are one big family - and there's a very significant emotional connection there,” says Sukstorf.

Even though crews now know the exact location of the aircraft, it is still at the bottom of Lake Muskoka.

Some people are hoping it can be recovered and put in a museum so that the story of these two men can be properly told.