Community Helps After Fatal Mennonite Buggy Wreck

Community members throughout the area are pulling together to help the remaining members of the Shirk family who were involved in the fatal Mennonite buggy wreck that took the life of 7 year old Mervin H. Shirk. Six of the family's members were heading north on Highway OO, just south of Route DD, in their horse drawn buggy Thursday morning at 6:45. They were struck from behind by a pick up truck driven 16 year old Christopher W. Kazmierczak of Fredericktown. Four members of the family, 10 year old Miriam Shirk, 12 year old Titus Shirk, 50 year old Alice Shirk and 21 year old Dorcas Shirk, were seriously injured and are in St Louis hospitals. A prayer vigil was held for the family Thursday night in Farmington. The funeral service for 7 year old Mervin Shirk is set for Tuesday morning at 9:30. The Mennonite community doesn't solicit donations however they are being accepted at the Home Gardens Community Market at 819 Old Fredericktown Road to help offset medical expenses and funeral costs. The Mennonite community is asking for one thing,..that you pray for those involved in the accident.