April 28, 2011 Toddler Drowns in Local Pond By TESA CULLItesa.culli@register-news.com MT. VERNON — Numerous local agencies were called to find a missing 2-year-old this afternoon, who was later found in a pond near his home and died as a result of drowning. According to Jefferson Fire Protection District Chief Mike Huntman, the child had been missing about 45 minutes when he was found by his mother in the pond. Emergency responders at the scene worked to resuscitate Wesley P. Houser, who was transported to St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:05 p.m. The report came in to county 911 dispatch at 1:55 p.m. that a child was missing from the yard of a home in the 18000 block of East Saddle Club Road, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch. JFPD put out a call for all available volunteers to help with the search, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was on scene and Littons Ambulance not only responded, but also put out a call for volunteers to aid in the search. The Illinois State Police responded to the call and about 17 troopers were en route as well as the Salem South Baptist Search and Rescue team to help with the search already underway by family and friends when the child was found in the pond, located near the residence. The Mt. Vernon Police Department K-9 unit was on the way when the boy was found, and MVPD blocked intersections through the city to allow the ambulance to arrive at the hospital safely as paramedics worked to revive him. Wesley Houser is the son of 31-year-old Michelle Donley and 37-year-old Brian Houser. “This was a tragic accident,” Mulch said. “The Sheriff’s Office wishes to express sincere sympathy to the family of Wesley. We also want to express our sincere gratitude for all the responding agencies for their rescue and life saving efforts On 4/30/2011 5:33 AM, BLS wrote: > > MT. VERNON - Wesley Patton Houser, two years, nine months and 16 days, of Belle Rive, passed away at 4:05 p.m. Thursday, April 28, 2011, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. > > He was born Saturday, July 12, 2008, in Mt. Vernon, to Bryan Houser and Michelle Donley. > > A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, with Pastor Wayland Middendorf officiating. Interment will follow at a private graveside service at Reid Cemetery in Shawneetown at a later date. > > Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. > > Wesley is survived by his mother, Michelle Donley and special friend David King of Belle Rive; his father, Bryan Houser of Mt. Vernon; his maternal grandfather, Anthony Donley and special friend Contess Rich of Mt. Vernon; his maternal grandmother, Patricia Marona and husband Keith of Missouri; paternal grandparents, Derrell and Debbie Houser Roeder of Mt. Vernon; maternal great-grandfather, Gordan Pryor of Ewing; paternal great-grandmother, Barbara Martin of Sandoval; brother, Joseph Houser of Belle Rive; sister, Madison Houser of Belle Rive; half-brother, Trevor Bryan Houser, Quartermaster, USN, of Mt. Vernon; two uncles, Timothy Donley and special friend Leslie Peacock of Texico and Eric Houser of Mt. Vernon; two aunts, Chandra Lancia and husband John of St. Louis, Mo., and Tami Donley of Ewing; and several cousins also survive. > > His great-grandmother, Rebecca Pryor; and great-grandfather, Nick Borowiak; preceded him in death. > > For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Ronald McDonald House and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ILFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >