Private vigil commemorates boy killed in fire
From the WCLO newsroom:
Neighbors and relatives gathered at a private vigil Monday evening to remember seven-year-old Derek Mattingly, who was killed in a weekend fire in Janesville.
Next-door neighbor Sheila Miller says she remembers Derek loved to go everywhere with his grandmother. She says whenever he heard his grandmother start her car, he would run down the stairs to be with her. Miller says her husband will especially miss Derek. Her husband would take their Dobermans out near the side of the house and Derek would come over to play with the dogs.
Dozens of friends gathered at the vigil in front of the burned-out shell of 327 North Palm Street. Janesville fire officials are citing the property owner for not providing proper smoke detection in the house.
May 13, 2008 at 11:21 a.m.
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This is reposted from Tirzah's MySpace page in hopes others that can help. Anything to help rebuild this family's life is appreciated! Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mattingly/Ashmoore family.
This goes out to everyone... This is a TRAGEDY.... THEY NEED YOUR HELP!! The fire started at 7:50am, her sister's boyfriend grabbed owen and rushed him outside and attempted to get Lori Mattingly and her boyfriend out of the upstairs duplex to help him get the other 2 out since he has celebral palsy it makes it very difficult for him to move around.. Lori and her boyfriend tried everything to break down the door to get to Derrick & Joey whom were sleeping in their bedroom, but were unable.. Derrick died due to smoke inhalation and Joey is in critical condition at Froedert Childrens hospital in Milwaukee. Lori, Scott, and Loris boyfriend made it out with mild smoke inhalation and some burning but they are ok.. Joey is fighting for his life.. he's in a chemically induced coma so he doesnt feel the pain.. The drs say the burns cover 25% of his body, his arms, legs and a great deal on his face and hands.. he's totally unrecognizable.. he's undergoing many skin graph surgeries. They wont give any guarantee that he will make it through.. So are thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Theres a memorial started at the house at 327 N. Palm St. (if you go down court and turn Right on the street next to American family, go down past the first block, its on the second block on the left in the middle..) Funeral arrangements for derreck will be planned out here shortly.
The house is a complete loss.. They have nothing to go back to.. Nothing that they once had.. Therefore, Im takin any donations anyone can sacrafice to help them out.. Starting with clothing: toddler boys 2t,3t,4t; women's 7, lg; women's 18, xxl; mens 34, lg... But i will also take any donation of furniture, beds, small kitchen appliances, dishes, etc to start a new home for the families. I will be handling all donations, other than money that you can donate to the Anchor Banks located at 100 W. Racine St. and 2215 Holiday Drive. So please contact me whether on here or by phone 262-812-3510 Thanks a bunch!
Im also going to be putting out donation jars around town of Delavan, around Darien business and bars.. if someone could help with putting some in janesville area that'd be great.. we need to help them fund the funeral services, medical expenses, and the rebuild of their lives in a new place.. If you have any further suggestions let me know.. otherwise i will be calling around agencies to help them..
Thank you all for the love and support.. Let me know if you can help at all..
May 13, 2008 at 10:53 a.m.
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If anyone reading this personally knows the mattingly/ashmore family, I am trying to start a benifit for them on the forth of july at traxler park..I am awaiting hearing from the janesville jaycees to see if they would provide a site for our tent..we will be having a silent auction along with donations from the public..Please if you know them have someone contact me at Lindseychrostowski@sbcglobal.net or if you are just inspired to help and your business woul like to donate items for auction also contact me at the above e-mail and I will provide you with my phone number..I am also trying to partner with ywca or partners and prevention ..we will have pamplets about teaching children and adults about fire safety and will be selling t-shirts with a logo on the front about the celebration of dereks life and on the back will have all large sponsors so please tell everyone you know this has to be a city wide effort to help this family..I knew Kristarra through school and our children attended school together also but i have not spoken with her in years so please help me connect with some family to make sure they approve of this first !!!! Thank you so much
Lindsey
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