The powerful storms that hit southwest Michigan on Friday, spawning four confirmed tornadoes, claimed the lives of four people.
Three victims were killed in Branch County, with another victim, a 12-year-old boy, died in southern Cass County from a suspected tornado.
The names of three victims of the storm have been confirmed by authorities or the funeral home handling the arrangements for families of some of the victims. A fourth name has yet to be released.
Here’s what we know about the three confirmed victims:
Penni Jo Guthrie, 65
Penni Jo Guthrie, 65, of Union City, was killed after the tornado destroyed her home on Union Lake, according to a brief obituary posted online.
She was one of at least two victims killed who lived on Prairie Rose Lane on the northern side of Union Lake.
Keri Ann Johnson, 54
Keri Ann Johnson, 54, of Union City, died as a result of injuries sustained from the tornado, according to a brief obituary. An address for Johnson lists her on Prairie Rose Lane, near the home of Guthrie.
According to a GoFundMe, Johnson was married to her husband, Scott. Through a friend, he declined to comment.
Archer Lake Watersports, based in Quincy, posted on Facebook that Johnson was an employee there, and that they had lost a “great friend.”
“YOU WILL BE MISSED,” the post read.
Silas Anderson, 12
Silas Anderson, 12, died in Cass County. Sheriff Clint Roach said he was from the Edwardsburg area.
He was taken to South Bend Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
“It is with a heavy heart that Sheriff Clint Roach reports that a young man from the Edwardsburg area has lost his life in a weather-related incident,” the Cass County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Saturday.
Courtney Szucs, superintendent of Edwardsburg Public Schools, released a statement and letter to parents confirming the death of a student who was in the sixth grade.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I share the tragic passing of one of our 6th grade students,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all who knew and cared about him. He was a bright and meaningful part of our Eddie community, and we know his loss is deeply felt by many. There are truly no words that can fully express the sadness and loss our Eddie family is experiencing.”
jpignolet@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: 3 victims of Friday’s tornado outbreak in Michigan identified
Reporting by Jennifer Pignolet, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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