Father remembered as a ?devoted family man?: community support continues

by Peter Jakey– Managing Editor

In the days since the devastating house fire on West Orchard Street and South Sixth streets in Rogers City, which claimed the lives of five members of a tight-knit family, the community has mourned, but it also has been responding to the needs of the lone survivor, Kellie Wang. In Tuesday?s fire, which is a couple of blocks from St. Ignatius Catholic Church, she lost everything that was near and dear to her. Not getting out of the burning house were her husband Kirt Wang, 39; and her children Steven, 16; Sarah, 15; NaLeah, five; and Emily, three.

People from all over have been coming together to provide support. Huron National Bank has set up an account in the ?Kellie Wang Family? name for residents who want to provide her financial assistance. Bank vice president Erik Nadolsky said Thursday he?s received calls from as far away as Florida. ?I?ve been really impressed,? said Nadolsky. ?There has been very strong community support.? Collection boxes have been placed throughout the community. According to her stepbrother, Jayme Warwick of Rogers City, the thing she needs most right now are prayers. A moment of silence was offered at Wednesday?s Presque Isle County Board of Commissioner?s meeting.

A tribute to Sarah, a RCHS freshman, also was set up in the display case at the high school. The funeral service is Friday at 7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church of Rogers City, while family gathered Thursday. Public viewing is Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the church. They will be buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Tower.

THE FATHER, Kirt Wang, was a 1988 graduate of Onaway High School, and will be remembered as a devoted family man. The couple, who had been married for 17 years, and had Steven nine months after the honeymoon, lived with their family on M-211 for more than 14 years before moving to Rogers City two years ago when Kellie?s grandmother, who had been living in the now gutted house, passed away. Kirt?s parents, Greg and Bonnie Wang, live on Brady Road in the Onaway area, as does his only brother Harley. ?He always found the best in everyone,? said Bonnie. ?He would always look out for the underdog, and that would get him in trouble sometimes. He loved his family.? Bonnie believes he wouldn?t have left the house without his children.

?I?m sure that?s why he didn?t get out,? said Bonnie. Kirt had been a seasonal worker at O-N Minerals of Rogers City, hoping to get a fulltime position in future years. ?Kirt was an easy going, quiet man,? said Cindy Waibel. ?He loved working on cars and fishing.? Before the move to Rogers City, Kirt had lived in the Onaway area all his life. He was involved in scouting at a younger age and later went to Alpena Community College and took a course in bumping and painting. Bonnie said Kirt painted undersheriff Joe Brewbaker?s ?Mystery Machine? van, which is seen in many area parades. Brewbaker is Kellie?s brother. Kirt also did carpentry work. ?When you got to know him,? said Bonnie, ?you would find he had a terrific sense of humor.? He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, or anything involving the outdoors. ?My Dad is really having a hard time with it,? said Bonnie. Lawrence Bishop and Kirt spent a lot of time fishing together. Bonnie said people of the Onaway have come to show support. Her phone has not stopped ringing since the fire. People also continue to stop by and give Greg and Bonnie hugs. Kellie?s parents are Jim and Cindy Brewbaker of Onaway, and Paul and Sally Warwick of Rogers City.

The fire is believed to have started in the living room. The Wang?s had been using a fireplace to stay warm. Sarah, who was sleeping in the living room, woke up first and went to get her parents for help. The fire spread rapidly and Kirt and Kellie tried to get everyone out.

?She thought Kirt and the kids were behind her,? said Jayme Warwick. ?She heard Kirt say he has the kids and just ?go!? When she realized she was outside and nobody was behind her, she tried getting back in and busted out windows with shove

ls and her hands.? Family members believe the final chaotic moments inside the home were spent trying to help each other get out. Minutes after fire crews arrived with the equipment to get in, they found the victims.

Michigan State Police fire investigator Sgt. Dale Hardy responded to the scene to begin the process of determining a cause. He was there from before daybreak until 2:30 p.m. The fire department also will be receiving support. A fire department from Bellevue, Nebraska called The Advance to confirm the fire chief?s name so they could send a card of encouragement to the Rogers City Fire Department.

The address to Huron National Bank, to provide financial assistance to Kellie is: HNB, PO Box 240, Rogers City, MI 49779.

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