From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning

Students, Staff Involved in Fatal Crash

04.26.2006

Updated: Wednesday, May 31
IMPORTANT NOTE: On Wednesday, May 31, 2006, the Grant County Coroner's Office notified Taylor University of a case of mistaken identity involving Laura VanRyn and Whitney Cerak.

For more information, please view our news release of May 31, 2006 or the memorial page.

For historical purposes, the original press release below will not be altered.

Students Involved in AccidentUpdate: Wednesday, May 10
Taylor University officials report that a van carrying professional staff and students was involved in a collision with a semitrailer on Interstate 69 near Highway 18.

Four students and one employee were killed in the accident, including:

Whitney E. Cerak, Gaylord, MI (photo)
Freshman, Undeclared major
Selected to be an Orientation Group Leader
Older sister Carly is a Taylor student

Laurel E. Erb, St. Charles, IL (photo)
Junior, Art major

Bradley J. Larson, Elm Grove, WI (photo)
Senior, History major; Philosophy minor
Intended to go to law school

Elizabeth A. Smith, Mt. Zion, IL (photo)
Senior, Exercise Science major; Psych minor
Active in student leadership
Served as TWO ministry director
Active in promoting diversity awareness

Photo of Monica Felver 

Monica Felver, CDS employee (photo | large)

Large photo of students involved in accident (.jpg)
Indiana State Police News Release (.pdf)

One student and three employees were injured in the accident, including:

  • Laura J. VanRyn, senior
  • Vickie Rhodes, Creative Dining Services employee
  • Connie Magers, Creative Dining Services employee
  • Michelle Miller, Creative Dining Services employee

Laura VanRyn and Michelle Miller suffered serious injuries. VanRyn remains in critical condition at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN. You can follow her condition by reading the blog (Web log) set up by the VanRyn family.

Vicki Rhodes, Connie Magers and Michelle Miller have been released from the hospital and are recovering at home.

Further Resources and Family Contact Information

Funeral Arrangements

Whitney E. Cerak
Saturday, April 29
Visitation: 3:00-8:00 p.m.
Nelson's Funeral Home, 135 N. Center Ave., Gaylord MI 49735
http://www.nelsonsfuneralhome.com/

Sunday, April 30
Visitation: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Service: 3:00 p.m.
Gaylord Evangelical Free Church, 1649 E M 32, Gaylord MI 49735

Memorials
Memorial contributions may be made to the Invisible Children, through the Nelson Funeral Home.

Laurel E. Erb
Sunday, April 30
Visitation: 3:00-6:00 p.m. (CDT)
Norris Funeral Home, 100 S 3rd Street, St. Charles, IL 60174 (630-584-2000)
http://www.norrisfh.com/obit/search.cfm?ID=637

Monday, May 1
Service: 10:00 a.m. (CDT)
First Baptist Church, 2300 South Street, Geneva, IL 60134 (630-232-7068)

Memorials
Contributions in Laurel's memory may be made to the Wheaton Academy Zambia Project or to the Taylor University Department of Art, 236 W. Reade Ave, Upland, Indiana 46989-1001.

Monica Felver
Tuesday, May 2
Visitation: 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City, IN 47348 (765-348-0710)

Wednesday, May 3
Service: 10:30 a.m.
Waters Funeral Home

Bradley J. Larson
Sunday, April 30
Visitation: 2:00-4:00 p.m. (CDT)
Service: 4:00 p.m. (CDT)
Elmbrook Church, 777 South Barker Road, Brookfield, WI 53005
http://www.norrisfh.com/obit/search.cfm?ID=637

Memorials
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Taylor University, Attn: Toni Newlin, 236 West Reade Avenue, Upland IN 46989; in memory of Brad Larson.

Elizabeth A. Smith
Friday, May 5
Celebration of Life Service: 1:00 p.m. (CDT)
Glad Tidings Assembly of God, Airport Road, Decatur, IL 62526

Memorials
Decatur Christian School
3475 N. Maple Ave.
Decatur, Illinois 62526

Betsy Smith Memorial Scholarship
Taylor University
236 W. Reade Ave.
Upland, Indiana 46989

Inauguration Information
Archived streaming audio and video of the inauguration ceremony are available.

 

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2010 U.S. News and World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's third straight top ranking following ten straight years of being ranked in the region's Top Three.
 
Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).