Remembering victims of December’s deadly tornadoes

KENTUCKY (WFIE) - December’s deadly storm killed 28 across the Bremen and Dawson Springs areas, according to local officials.

We are learning who some of these people are.

The Kentucky School Boards Association shared that Jenny Bruce was a Dawson Springs Independent Schools board member. Their post said she served the district for four decades, mostly as a finance director. She even continued to serve as a board member even after retirement.

Visitation for Bruce was held Monday, December 20, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, December 21, from 10 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral hour at Beshear Funeral Home in Dawson Springs. Burial followed at Piney Grove Cemetery in Caldwell County.

Oaklynn Koon was the youngest victim of the storm. She was just two months old. Her family says she died in the hospital after the tornado hit their Dawson Springs home. Her other siblings were hurt as well. We talked to Oaklynn’s father, Doug, shortly after her death.

“No matter what kind of day I was having,” says Doug, “I could have the worst day ever, but as soon as I got home and I seen her, I was good.”

Brian Crick died in Bremen. He served as a District Court Judge in both Muhlenberg and McLean Counties. Officials also say his family was hurt, but was released from the hospital.

Muhlenberg County Judge Executive Curtis McGhee remembered the warmth Crick brought to the community.

“The thing about Judge Crick is he was a friend to a lot of people,” says Judge Executive McGhee. “He was very personable, and people knew that behind that robe, there was a human being that had a lot of dignity and respect for others.”

Chase Oglesby of was just five months old. His parents were also severely hurt in the storm. Both were flown to the hospital, but are now recovering.

We heard from Billy West of Madisonville. He says his mom, Marsha Hall, and her sister, Carol Grisham, were killed in Dawson Springs.

“We found them Saturday morning about 75-to-100 feet away from the house together,” says West.

Robin Hogan tells us she found her brother, Carl Hogan, after he was also killed by the storm in Dawson Springs.

A memorial service for Hogan was held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home - Madisonville Chapel. Burial was at a later date. Visitation was from 12 p.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home.

Visitation for another victim, Sonya Kay McChesney, was Monday, December 20, from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at 12 p.m. at Dunn Baptist Church in Dawson Springs. Burial followed at McNeely Cemetery in Hopkins County.

People killed in Hopkins County include:

Mary Adams

Marlin Acree

Jenny Bruce

Jeff Eckert

Jennifer Eckert

Marsha Hall

Carol Grisham

Carl Hogan

Ernie Akin

Oaklynn Koon

Carolyn Sigler