Funeral fund for teens drew $53K-plus, $5K to remain in fund

WARREN

The total of donations received as of Friday for funeral expenses associated with the deaths of six teenagers in a March 10 traffic accident is $53,430.

Pastor Rick Oaks of First United Methodist Church, one of five pastors in charge of overseeing the money, said the expenses paid out so far are $47,773 and will rise a little.

But a balance of about $5,600 is going to remain in the Huntington Bank account established for the donations.

The traffic accident on Niles Warren River Road about a mile south of downtown was the third large loss of life in the city in less than two years that resulted in the need for donations for burial expenses.

It makes sense to keep the remaining money in the account in case additional money is needed in the future, Oaks said.