This SUV split in half after the person driving it reportedly lost control and rolled it December 5 in Ensley Township. Photo by J. Reed.

By Judy Reed

Information received in a freedom of information act request shows that a 1999 Ford Expedition was traveling between 65-69 mph when it left the roadway on 136^th Avenue in Ensley Township last month before rolling and splitting in half and pinning the passenger underneath. It also said the driver’s dog died in the crash.

The crash occurred on Tuesday, December 5, about 11:20 a.m. about 200-300 yards south of the intersection of Cottonwood and 136^th Street, with the vehicle landing on the farm property of John Patin, 8160 E. 136^th St.

According to information received from the Newaygo County Sheriff Department, the driver was identified as Aubrey Lynn Johnston, 18. Her passenger was Marc Adrian Guiles, 17. Johnston told Officer Hunter Neiderer that she was driving eastbound at about 60 mph when she lost control and the vehicle flipped. The officer reported he did not detect any odor or signs of intoxication coming from her.

The property owner, John Patin, said he was in the barn when he heard what sounded like metal grinding. He came outside and saw the driver, who was out of the vehicle, and next to her dog, who had died as a result of the crash. Patin asked if anyone else was in the vehicle and she told him that her friend Marc was. Patin saw mark with his leg trapped in the door and his head pinned underneath the body of the vehicle.

Sand Lake Fire was first on the scene, and was assisted by Cedar Springs and Solon Fire Departments. They reported that the passenger was unresponsive. Aero Med was called to the scene, and landed on the dirt road despite high winds. However, when it came time to transport the man, it was found that they would have to land at the Ford Airport and then transport the man to Butterworth, rather than landing on the roof of the hospital. That trip would take about 40 minutes and an ambulance trip only 30 minutes, so the man was transported by ambulance instead. A second ambulance was dispatched for the female.

Marc Guiles spent time at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in critical condition, but is now at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.

Curtis D. Morris, 63 of Morley died Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Curt was born October 9, 1953 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Billy and Wanda (Parker) Morris. He worked for Elston-Richards for 23 years and loved hunting, fishing and mushroom hunting. Surviving are his significant other, Julie Berry; children, Michael Morris and fiancee, Christina Perkins, Vivian Berry and Billy Vincent; granddaughter, Kadense; mother, Wanda Morris; sisters, Ann (Larry) Cornell, Charlene Fifield; nieces and nephews, Nutasha (Sid) Tolsma, Jon (Jinger) Fifield, Theresa (Jesse) Koomen, Brett (Heather) Fifield, Katelyn Fifield, Laurissa Cornell. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother-in-law, William Fifield. The family received friends Sunday, June 4^th at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service was held Monday, June 5^th. Pastor Gilbert Morris officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart or Diabetes Associations.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Eugene Eben Finch Sr. age 79 of Cedar Springs passed away Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. He was born August 13, 1937 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Eben and Bessie (Fairbrother) Finch. Eugene proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957. He also enjoyed driving around on his tractor working his land. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, Eugene (Lori) Finch Jr. (Anthony, Chelsea, and Dylan), Terry (Angela) Finch (Alexander and Andrew), Debbie (Troy) Ensminger (Kyle and Nicole), Rodney S. Finch; great-grandchildren Ryland, Mya, and Bryson; sister, Eileen (Val) Bennett. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Patricia Finch and Joyce Hegwood. The family met with friends on Wednesday at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. Pastor Larry Young, officiating. Interment Solon Township Cemetery with the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

James J. Patin 67 of Sand Lake, died Saturday, April 8, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Jim was born March 29, 1950 in Cedar Springs, Michigan the son of Joseph and Ruth (Horter) Patin. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and had worked at Knape & Vogt for 41 years retiring 2013. He was a member of the Wolverine Skyhawks and enjoyed taking motorcycle trips. Surviving are his wife, Sandra; children, Melissa Patin, Jim (April) Patin, Gina (Craig) Dillon, Matt Patin, Becky (Rob) Baker, Jill Patin, Collin (Michelle) Patin; 20 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald (Maureen) Patin; sisters, Catherine Patin, Marie Patin, Patricia Patin, Gerri (Ralph) VanOcker, RoseAnn Patin; mother-in-law, Helen Beebe; many nieces and nephews and his dog, Teddy. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Mark. The family greeted friends Tuesday at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday at Mary Queen of Apostles, Sand Lake. Rev. Fr. Lam Le celebrant. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Earl J. Gorby 80 of Kent City died Friday, April 7, 2017 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Earl was born June 6, 1936 in Kent City, Michigan the son of Ray and Crystal (Uhrbrock) Gorby Sr. He attended Trufant Elementary School and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1954 and served in the U.S. Army from 1959-61. He was a member of the Cedar Springs American Legion and retired from Sparta Foundry. He enjoyed deer hunting, golfing and watching and playing sports. He loved kids, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving are his children, Dawn (Fred) Groenke, Kenneth Pope, Betty (Brad) Kahrs; 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce (Bing) Downer; brothers, Pete (Gerry) Gorby, Harold Gorby; sister-in-law, Ardis Gorby; good friend, Steve Pope; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley in 2012; sisters, Erma Rowland and Verma Osburn; brother, Gordon Gorby. The family greeted friends Wednesday, April 12 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service was Thursday 11:00 am Plainfield Christian Church. Pastor Bruce Wilson officiating. Interment Idlewild Cemetery, Kent City. Memorial contributions may be made to Renucci Hospitality House.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Donald L. Kelley, 89, of Cedar Springs, died Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Mr. Kelley was born September 30, 1926 in Laura, Illinois, the son of Henry and Estelle (Emerson) Kelley. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War and retired from the Army in 1968 after 23 ½ years of service. He was a member of the Moose Lodge #50 and the Kent City American Legion. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and always enjoyed a beer with the boys. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Caroline; son, Roger of Broomfield, Colorado, sister, Lois Kneer of Florida. He was preceded in death by two sons, Kelvin and Patrick; stepson, Paul Curry; brother, Lester; sisters, Margaret and Myrna. Cremation has taken place and there will be no services.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Damage to Allen’s black Chrysler Sebring convertible can be seen here

By Judy Reed

Lois Allen, owner and publisher of The Cedar Springs Post, was injured and hospitalized for several days following a two-vehicle crash last weekend in Nelson Township.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, the accident occurred about 7 p.m., on Saturday, April 6. Deputy Chad Tucker, the officer at the scene, said that Allen was southbound on Shaner Avenue, in her black Chrysler Sebring convertible, when she failed to stop at the stop sign at 17 Mile. She then collided with a westbound 2004 silver Saturn Ion.

Allen was transported to Butterworth hospital by Rockford Ambulance, where she was diagnosed with several broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and a cracked verterbrate in her neck.

Sara Butler was the driver of this Saturn Ion.

According to Lt. Marc Burns, the driver of the Saturn was Sara Butler, 34, of Grand Rapids. She was also transported to the hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.

Allen’s small dog was also in the vehicle, but escaped without injury.

Assisting at the scene was the Cedar Springs Fire Department and Rockford Ambulance.

The Post would like to thank everyone at the scene for their help.

Lois hopes to be back up and around soon!

John E. Fortuna, II age 73 of Belmont, died Friday, April 4, 2014 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. John was born January 20, 1941 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of John and Nina (Griffin) Fortuna. He worked in Tool & Die and served an apprenticeship at Lear Siegler and then worked at Knape & Vogt, Auto Die and retired from General Motors on 36th St. in 2006 after 25 years. Surviving are his wife, Sally (Morris); children, John E. III and Jeannie, Jerry, Cindy (Fortuna) and Doug Ellinger; grandchildren, Lindsey and Griffin Fortuna, Riley, Ashton, and Triston Cherry; 1 step granddaughter, Megan Ellinger; mother, Nina Fortuna; sister, Joan and Bill Goss. He was preceded in death by his son Rick in 1991 and his father in 1997. The family received friends Tuesday, April 8 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where services were held Wednesday, April 9. Pastor Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice and Pallative Care, 4500 Breton SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Firefighters responded to the scene of a tragic house fire on Northland Drive, just south of Sand Lake, Thursday morning, January 20, that killed a man and sent his sister to the hospital.
According to Sgt. Steve Dabkowski, of the Kent County Sheriff Department, the homeowner, Sandra DeVault, 57, came out of her bedroom a little before 7 a.m. to find the living room, where her brother slept, engulfed in flames. She was unable to get him out.
Both Sand Lake and Cedar Springs Fire Departments fought the blaze. Dabkowski said they had initially knocked the fire down, and firefighters were inside, and ambulance workers almost inside, when it caught fire again. The man, William Samalot, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dabkowski said according to DeVault, her brother was on oxygen and often smoked. “That looks to be the probable cause of the fire,” said Dabkowski.
DeVault was taken to Spectrum Butterworth, where she was being treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire is still under investigation.