20-year-old Naval Academy Student Among Amtrak Victims

PHILADELPHIA -- Justin Zemser, a 20-year-old midshipman at the U.S.

Naval Academy in Maryland, will be the first of victim of this week's Amtrak derailment to be buried when funeral services are held today at the Boulevard-Riverside-Hewlett Chapel on Long Island.

The sophomore student lives in New York City and was on his way home from Annapolis, Maryland,  when the train derailed Tuesday night. He wanted to be a Navy Seal, and was an only child, according to a report from CNN. 

Zemser was among eight people killed and more than 200 injured among the 243 people aboard train 188 in the Philadelphia, Penn., wreck.  

ABCNEWS reported profiles of Zemser and the other victims who include Laura Finamore, Derrick Griffith, Jim Gaines, Bob Gildersleeve, Abid Gilani, Rachel Jacobs, and Giuseppe Piras. 

PROFILE:
Photo from Google.com

Justin Zemser, a popular student leader and athlete, was on a break from the U.S. Naval Academy and heading home to Rockaway Beach, New York, where playing high school football helped him and his teammates through the devastation of Superstorm Sandy.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called Zemser a "crucial member" of the institution.

The 20-year-old's family released a statement mourning "a loving son, nephew and cousin who was very community-minded." They said the tragedy "has shocked us all in the worst way."

Zemser was in his second year. He served as vice president of the Jewish Midshipmen Club and played wide receiver on the academy's sprint football team. Friends at the Naval Academy remembered him for his endearing leadership qualities.

Midshipman James Lieto recalled how his sprint football teammate helped lead first-year students through the academy's Sea Trials hours before the crash. The trials, which began at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, encompass a rigorous 14-hour day of physical challenges.

Zemser, who was known as "Z," wore a floppy sun hat in the early morning darkness to lighten the mood.

"He was always there to pick other people up," Lieto said Thursday.

At Channel View School for Research in New York, Zemser was valedictorian, student government president and captain of the football team.

Outside of school, Zemser interned for New York City Councilman Eric Ulrich and former Councilman James Sanders. Ulrich called him "truly a bright, talented and patriotic young man."

Zemser also volunteered with a church program, a soup kitchen and a nursing home and mentored children with autism, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said. Schumer and U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks nominated Zemser to the Naval Academy, and Meeks was struck by his "high character, intellectual curiosity and maturity beyond his years."

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D'Iberville Students, Community Remember Lives of Brother and Sister

                              D'Iberville students Amanda Ward, 16, and James Ward Jr., 14




D'IBERVILLE HIGH STUDENTS MOURN OVER LOSS OF SIBLINGS KILLED IN CAR CRASH
WLOX TV/March 16, 2015/video





Funeral services for Amanda and Jimmy Ward will be held Saturday, March 21, at Gulfport Baptist Church on Mississippi 605 in Woolmarket.


The D'Iberville High students were killed March 13 during a two-vehicle accident while on their way to school. The wreck occurred at the intersection of Big John Road and Mississippi 67.


VIGIL HONORS AMANDA AND JIMMY
Sun Herald/Friday, March 20, 2015




The funeral services follow a gathering for prayer and memories held Monday morning before classes to allow students a time for consolation over the death of Amanda, 16, and her 14-year-old brother James, known as Jimmy. She was a sophomore and honor student, and he was a freshman and athlete at the school.


As well, a candlelight vigil was held Friday at the school to support the Ward family.


SOUTH MISSISSIPPI UNITES TO EMBRACE FAMILY OF TEENS KILLED IN D'IBERVILLE CRASH/Sun Herald Friday, March 20, 2015




Amanda and Jimmy are the children of James Sr. and Amy Ward.







CRASH THAT KILLED TO STUDENTS UNDER INVESTIGATION
SUN HERALD/March 16, 2015

Amanda Nicole Ward Woolmarket, MS Amanda Nicole Ward, age 16, of Woolmarket, joined the Angels as they carried her to Heaven on March 13, 2015. Amanda was a beautiful, special, happy, loving and caring young girl with a smile that would light up the room. She had a joyful spirit that will live in our hearts forever and will be remembered for her indescribable special sweetness. Amanda was a sophomore at D'Iberville High School, was an honor student, loved sports, and was participating in softball and basketball. She had also previously participated in cheerleading, baton twirling and dance. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Frank Jenkins, Jr., and George W. Ward, Sr.; uncle, George W. Ward, Jr.; great-uncle, James H. Ward, Jr.; and cousin, Allen Keating. Amanda is survived by her loving parents, James E. Ward, Sr. and Amy Jenkins Ward; her brothers, Chad McDowall and Travis Ward; her special "big sister", Jessie Nellums; grandmothers, Marie Kopszywa Ward and Ruth Jenkins; her aunts, Angela Bosarge (Al), Donna Ward, Karen Korn (John); and uncle, Frank Richard "Ricky" Jenkins, III (Anna). She is also survived by her cousins, C.J Fayard, Georgia, Beau, Elizabeth & Tiffany Bosarge, Katie & Megan Ward, Jeremy & John Korn, Amber, Magan, Seth, Haley and Frankie Jenkins; and numerous great aunts, great uncles, cousins, relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at First Baptist Church-Gulfport, Highway 605, from 10am-1pm. Funeral services will be held in the church sanctuary at 1pm. Burial will follow at Coalville Cemetery. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all of the teachers, students, teammates, fire departments, co-workers, friends, family, organizations and the entire community for their overwhelming love and support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the D'Iberville High School Athletic Department, 15625 Lamey Bridge Road, Biloxi, 39532. RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, is serving the family, and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sunherald/obituary.aspx?pid=174421071#sthash.LEuwWQnk.dpuf

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sunherald/obituary.aspx?pid=174421071#storylink=cpy

Zackary Whitfield Loved Fishing, Friends

HARRISON COUNTY -- Zackary Whitfield, 21,  lost his life November 14, 2014, during a vehicle wreck on Kiln Delisle Road near Bradley Road.

Zackary Brett Whitfield, known as Zack, was a resident of Long Beach, where he attended Long Beach High School and graduated with the Class of 2011. The boat captain enjoyed fishing, music and being with friends.

WLOX reported that the accident that killed Whitfield also injured Kaleigh Dartez, 19, who was identified as the driver of the vehicle in which Whitfield was the passenger. She has been charged with DUI causing death in the wreck that occurred about 4 a.m. that Friday.

Services for Whitfield are planned for 12 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Long Beach, where the funeral ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., arranged by Riemann Family Funeral Home. Internment will be in Allen Cemetery.

Zack Whitfield was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Hazel Ruth Ainsworth, and Clifton and Ruby Patton. He is survived by parents Randy (Robin) Whitfield and Melissa (Bo) VonderBruegge; siblings Donnie Bosarge, Brandi Bosarge, Amber Lord, and Chip, Morgan and Brock VonderBruegge; grandparents Waldene and Julian Thacker, C.J. and Barbara Hale, and Tom and Patsy Whitfield; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives, and friends.

http://www.wafb.com/story/27396265/sheriff-driver-charged-with-dui-causing-death-in-fatal-harrison-co-wreck

http://www.riemannfamily.com/obituaries/Zackary-Whitfield/

 

 

Missing 5-year-old Found in Trailer; Family, Neighbors Pray

Janaya Thompson, 5 years old, found dead July 17 

Family photos provided to WLOX TV-13

Gulfport police and the Harrison County coroner confirmed that the body of Janaya Makayla Thompson, age 5, was found this morning in an abandoned trailer home on Whitney Drive. Authorities began searching Wednesday night for the pre-schooler, who was reported missing about 8:30 p.m. from The Palms Apartments on Three Rivers Road.

Follow events about the search and location of Janaya Thompson at wlox.com, sunherald.com and wxxv25.com.

Summer Fun with Family Turns Tragic in Sound

PASS CHRISTIAN -- Tony Nations, 19 years old, had been spending a sunny Sunday at the beach with his family before he fought strong waves that led to his drowning near the Pass Christian Harbor earlier this month.

Reportedly, bystanders had pulled the Saucier teenager from the Mississippi Sound by the time emergency personnel arrived. He was taken to Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead Monday afternoon, June 9.

Harrison County teen drowns in Mississippi Sound
WLOX-TV 13


Good Samaritan opens up about trying to save drowning teen
WLOX TV-13


Tony Marten Nations Jr., a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast, loved fishing, never met a stranger, was full of life, and will be remembered for his big heart and love for his family, according to his obituary at www.riemannfamily.com

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Essie Engel and Dale Cuevas of Saucier; his father Tony Marten Nations Sr.; siblings Joyce Nations, Austin Nations, Essie Elizabeth Nations, and Gabrielle Cuevas; maternal grandmothers Joyce Sims and Nancy Havard; grandfather Milton Sims; uncles Milton Sims (aunt "Cranberry") and Robert Nations; aunts Jennifer Leonard (Jonathon), Kelly Sims (Christopher), Anna Mills (Johnny), and Tamara Ryan (Rocky); former stepfather Charlie Engel, his cousin CJ Parker, his best friend Thomas Ryan, and his canine companion Xena.

Graveside service was held Wednesday, June 11, at Wolf River Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Gulfport.

Visit www.riemannfamily.com for more information.

Remembering Students We Lost in May

 

                                                                             Prom photo of Patricia Ladner and William Smith and family photo of Patricia and Cody Ladner  (family photos)

GULF COAST -- The last of three Pass Christian teenagers involved in a fatal two-vehicle wreck just days prior to high school graduation is among young people who passed away this month.

 

Patricia Ladner died Sunday, May 25, at USA Medical Center in Mobile.

The 18-year-old was riding in a SUV driven by her boyfriend, William Smith, when a pickup struck their vehicle as Smith was leaving the driveway of a friend on Cunningham Road. Smith 19,  and Ladner's brother, Cody, 16, who was in the back seat, died the day of the accident, May 19.

Pass Christian holds vigil for wreck victims 

Third Pass teen dies from car accident injuries


JOSEPH SCHMIDT, 8, of New Orleans also died Memorial Day, May 26, while tubing with his brother on the Wolf River.

Authories said his father was pulling him and his older sibling on a tube that swung wide and hit a tree. The boy suffered blows to his head and neck, and his brother suffered minor injuries.

Joseph was pronounced dead at Garden Park Hospital in Gulfport, according to news reports.

Wolf River tubing accident kills 8-year-old Louisiana boy

Boy Drowns in Pascagoula Apartment Pool

PASCAGOULA -- James Sims, 7, drowned Sunday evening while he and relatives were swimming  at an apartment complex's pool, according to media reports.

Jackson County coroner Vicki Broadus said it wasn't clear if the family lives at the complex, or were visiting when the drowning occurred about 7:30 p.m. May 4.