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The calls began pouring in soon after the news that three local Amish children and one of the children’s young father had died after their van rolled over on a snow-and-ice-covered highway last week, says Delhi United Methodist Church Pastor Keith Pitts.
Many in the particular northeast Iowa town associated with about 500 are struggling with the deaths and wondering what they can do to help, said Pitts, whose congregation is raising money to help the families .
“We’re a small community. Everyone knows everyone… and the Amish are part of that community, ” he stated.
While faith and culture separate them, Delhi non-Amish and Amish will mourn the losses together, mentioned Shirley Helmrichs, a Delaware County supervisor who grew up near Delhi.
The tight-knit Amish “will wrap their arms around each other with nothing but love and support, ” Helmrichs said. “And many of us who are outside their own Amish local community will do the same. inch
Ervin J. Borntreger, 22, died along with his son, Marlin, 1, and nieces, Rebecca and Emma Borntreger, 2 and 4, respectively, from injuries these people sustained when the van’s driver, traveling west on U. S. 20 in Grundy County, lost control near Wellsburg at 6: 50 a. m. Friday.
More: Vans like one in fatal Grundy Region crash prone to rollovers
‘He became a friend of mine’
The 15-passenger van, carrying 13 people, entered the median plus rolled before coming in order to a stop within the eastbound lanes, ejecting four passengers, the Iowa State Patrol said. The nine some other passengers were taken to area hospitals. None experienced been wearing seat belts, as well as the kids weren’t in car seats, the State Patrol spokesperson said.
Helmrichs stated about 50 Amish family members live near Delhi within Delaware County, just east of Buchanan County, one of the centers associated with Iowa’s Amish population. Their Anabaptist Christian beliefs emphasize simplicity and self-sufficiency, and they eschew many modern technologies, traveling by horse plus buggy, for example , instead of driving cars and trucks.
It could not be confirmed Monday whether the family in Friday’s accident had a non-Amish driver transporting all of them, but Helmrichs said the particular Amish often turn to others to take them to places they otherwise would have difficulty reaching.
The Amish community will be filled with craftsmen and women, many operating small businesses that will have become important in order to Delhi, she said. Community members farm, run general and hardware stores, keep greenhouses, sell baked and handcrafted goods and roofing steel, plus provide carpentry, roofing and other building services.
Ervin Borntreger built windows, some associated with which Delhi United Methodist Church recently had installed.
“He became a buddy of mine, ‘ mentioned Pitts, the pastor, who called Borntreger quiet, hard-working and a devoted father.
Iowa State Patrol: Grundy County vehicle rollover kills 3 children, one adult, injures other people
Grandson, great grandchildren will be first to be buried within new cemetery
Pitts said the Amish community frequently supports Delhi school and church fundraisers, and Delhi supports theirs. The Amish community has four small schools in the area, Helmrichs stated.
Ervin Borntreger recently volunteered a day helping United Methodist members work on the congregant’s home.
“We’re heartsick, ” Pitts said. “People are wrestling with the particular loss.
“The best thing we can do is pray and assistance the households, ” he added, saying other region churches plus towns and Heritage Bank in Delhi are assisting with the fund-raising effort.
Helmrichs mentioned her friend Amos Christner, a founder of the Delhi Amish neighborhood, recently established a cemetery for the community. His 3 great-grandchildren plus Ervin Borntreger, his granddaughter’s husband, will certainly be the particular first to be buried there, the girl said.
Local community members may “each take a turn filling the graves” during the burial, Helmrichs said.
Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Sign-up. Reach her at [email protected] com or 515-284-8457.
