INDIANA'S FALLEN WORKERS
These are a few of the men and women that went to work in Indiana and were fatally injured never going home to their families at the end of their shift. We remember, honor and recognize these men and women for their dedication and hardwork. We would like to sincerely thank the families that shared their loved one's picture and their tragic loss with USMWF.
~4/18/1975-12/11/2020~
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Jason Paul Andresen, 45Jason was killed on the job in December 2020 while working for Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete Inc. in Middlebury, Indiana. Mr. Andresen was found in the barrel of a mixer truck that was being used to pour wet cement. Indiana OSHA has opened an inspection and the case is currently open. Information will be updated upon completion of the inspection.
Inspection: 1506615.015 - 111566 - Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete Jason was a Union Member of Indiana Teamsters Local 364. Jason reported the problems with his truck, they took his truck “fixed” his truck and give it back to him and now he is dead! |
~2/21/1983 - 8/10/2016 ~
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Joshua Beam, 33
Josh was killed on the job in August 2016 while working for Pike Lumber Company Incorporated in Osgood, Indiana. Josh was cutting a tree when it fell into a neighboring tree, causing that tree's top to fall, striking him.
IOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $7,000.00 penalty for one serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $5,000.00 for one serious violation. This inspection is closed. Inspection: 1169286.015 - 10536 |
~ 6/27/1970 - 10/30/2003 ~
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Shawn D. Boone, 33Shawn was killed on the job in October 2003 while working for Hayes Lemmerz Int. in Huntington, Indiana. He was in an aluminum dust explosion and died the day after the incident.
IOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $42,000.00 penalty for six serious violations. This inspection is closed. Inspection: 306860461 - Hayes Lemmerz Intl. |
~ 07/25/1990-07/26/2019 ~
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Benjamin "Ben, B, Fish" Joseph Wayne Fisher, 29Benjamin was killed in July 2019 while working at Traffic Control Specialists Inc in Knox, Indiana. He was fatally injured after being struck and killed by an oncoming vehicle that failed to slow, stop, or move over.
IOSHA investigated the incident. This case is closed. Inspection: 1435747.015 - 110056 - Traffic Control Specialists Inc. Benjamin was full of life. His attitude was to go to work each day with a positive outlook and "be prepared because you never know who you'll meet that will benefit your future". In his short life of 28 years, B overcame many adversities and shared his testimonies with anyone needing to hear how God has brought him through. He advocated for those with Invisible Illnesses and Victims of Abuse, of which he was a Survivor of both. Benjamin survived a tragic accident at aged 13, that claimed his oldest brother. Doctors gave no hope of survival and God showed them, He was not done with Ben Life drastically changed but Ben fought through his trials, relied on God and succeeded in his rehabilitation. Ben worked for TCS over two years, and was LIUNA Local 645, Shop Steward. He fought for his coworkers and suggested changes, mediated and mentored many. Benjamin is a true Hero. As the truck came swftly toward him in his last minutes, Ben yelled, "Laura, Move!" at his coworker thus saving her life, according to on scene Paramedics. In 2019, Benjamin filed to run for Mayor of Plymouth, IN, as a Republican Hometown Conservative. His slogan was #WorkingTogetherToMakeDreamsAReality. He had many ideas and goals to help his community thrive and wanted to give back to his town that had been there for him. "When people visit Plymouth, I want them to ask themselves, Why don't we live here?" The Benjamin J. W. Fisher Memorial Foundation, dba "I AM MY BROTHERS KEEPER ", has been set up to further Benjamin's Legacy. Ben's footprints will forever remain within our hearts. |
~1/13/1974-4/8/2020~
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Frank E. Freer, 46Frank of Pontiac, IL was killed on the job in April 2020 while working for U.S. Steel’s Gary Works, contracted through KM Plant Services Inc.in Gary, IN. He died after he fell through a hole.
IOSHA is investigating the incident. Its been almost 8 months since Frank tragically left us. It is A day I will never forget, sometimes I still feel like it was yesterday. Frank was truly the most amazing man I have ever met. He was such a generous, loving and caring friend, father, brother, uncle, papa and fiancé. He was that man that you could meet one time and will always remember. He was definitely 1 in a million and I was so lucky enough to call him mine. He really was my "Knight and Shining Armour" and everything I have ever wanted and more. This life I live now will never ever be the same without him in it. We were so in love and happy for the future as Mr. and Mrs. We had so many plans. This is the worst thing tragically to ever happen and to live through. I constantly think about that horrible day and the unanswered questions. Some days it just consumes all of me, all of my strength I have left. The amazing memories we made and shared with each other will live on forever in my mind, heart and soul. Not A day went by without him saying, "I love you", "Your beautiful and amazing". He made sure I knew that every single day. As I did the same to him. And he knew how much I loved him too. I will treasure every moment I had with him. I love you more my amazing Sea Otter Man. I will always be your squishy, forever. |
~ 12/20/1949 - 11/12/2004 ~
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Steve Forster, 61Stephen was killed on the job in November 2011 while working for Indy Logistics in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was pinned between a forklift and a building support column.
IOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $17,500.00 penalty for five serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $11,500.00 for three serious violations and two other than serious. This inspection is closed. Inspection: 315718981 - Indianapolis Logistics. |
~7/30/1999-9/8/2020~
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Braxton Lee Lynch, 21Braxton was killed in September 2020 while working for Delta Foundation Specialists Inc. in Avon, Indiana. Braxton due to an excavator incident.
Indiana OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $8,400.00 penalty for four serious violations. The case is still open. Inspection: 1491861.015 - 111338 - Delta Foundation Specialists Inc Forever21 |
~ 7/11/1960 - 11/12/2011 ~
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Glen Steven Rackley, 51
Glenn was killed in November 2011 while working for Danco Construction in Evansville, Indiana. He died after felling six feet from a scissor lift.
IOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $14,700.00 penalty for six serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $6,000.00 penalty for four serious violations. This case is closed. Inspection: 315677120 - Danco Construction Inc. |
~ 2/14/1983 - 5/19/2011 ~
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Kyle Rhodes, 28
Kyle was killed in May 2011 while working for Fairfield Manufacturing in Lafayette, Indiana. He died after being pinned between a forklift and a semi-truck.
IOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $25,000.00 penalty for 9 serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $14,500.00 for three serious violations. This case is closed. Inspection: 315047316 - Fairfield Manufacturing Inc. 22-year-old Gregory Peterson III, suffered injury in the same work accident. |
~ 2/6/1983 - 1/24/2014 ~
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Eric A. Rodman, 30
Eric was killed in January 2014 while working for The Anderson Group in Elkhart, Indiana. He died when wen he fell into grain care being loaded with grain.
MIOSHA is investigating and the case is still open. Eric was killed January 24th when he fell into a rail car while grain was being loaded. Eric was a devoted husband and the father of a 9 year old little girl and 18 month old little boy. Eric served in the United States Army and completed two deployments and was forever a Momma's boy. |
~ 6/27/1992 - 6/21/2019 ~
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Zachary Ross Trotter, 26
Zachary was killed in June 2019 while he was working for Bruce Incorporated (Culligan Water) in Seymour, Indiana. He died due to a car accident while driving a delivery van.
Inspection: 1416299.015 - 110017 - Bruce Incorporated Zach was killed in a car accident the morning of June 21 while driving his route for Culligan. Zach had an infectious smile and a hilarious personality. We miss him every minute of every day. |
~ 3/21/1958 - 11/15/2011 ~
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Gabriel Rocha, 53Gabriel was killed in November 2011 while working for Mittal Steel formally Insland Steel in East Chicago, Indiana. He died when a super heated steam pipe ruptured and burned him.
No information found as of 12/13/2013 |
~ 11/13/2013 - 12/2/2013 ~
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Michael Samuelson, 39
Michael was killed in November 2013 while working for Pangere Corporation at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor West steel mill (No. 3 steel formerly the LTV Steel Co.) in Valparaiso, Indiana. He died when he was struck by fallen debris.
IOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $3,500.00 penalty for one serious violation. The case is still open. Inspection: 317063949 - Pangere Corporation He was a great husband, father, and friend. Yesterday was his 40th birthday so it is really difficult for me to write this right now. Thank you for taking the time to think of us. |
~ 5/7/2003 ~
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Bob ShonkwilerBob was killed in May 2003 while working for Hoosier Energy in Sullivan, Indiana. He was killed when he was crushed in a conveyor belt.
Indiana OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $15,375.00 penalty for six serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $6,465.00 for 4 serious violations. Inspection: 306153206 - Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative To see more about Bob. |
~ 12/9/1959- 7/19/2013 ~
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Jay Summers, 53
Jay Summers, 53 was killed in July 2013 while working for Fairfield Contractors at the Perdue University Campus in Lafayette, Indiana. He was run over by a truck his supervisor was driving.
IOSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $11,000.00 penalty for six serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $7,200.00 for three serious violations and two other than serious violation. Inspection: 317025112 - Fairfield Contractors To see more about Jay |
~12/13/1952 ~ 04/25/2020~
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Gary Layne Weinke, 67Gary was killed in April 2020 while working at the Indiana Department of Corrections, Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, Indiana. He is believed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus while at work and sadly lost his battle to the virus.
Indiana OSHA investigated the incident and no citations were implemented. This case is closed. Inspection: 1473702.015 - 110963 - Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Gary worked in the SCU (Secured Confinement Unit) Level 5, Maximum Security. He was a thirteen year veteran worker for the State of Indiana, five of those were as a store clerk delivering commissary to offenders, before switching over to custody. Gary was a loving husband, Father, Papaw, and Brother. His first Great-Grandson was born in November 2019....he was so proud being a Great-Grand Papaw. He also left behind six children and 17 Grand Children, two Brothers, two Sisters and several Nieces and Nephews, Cousins and his Aunt Betty. He enjoyed family dinners, annual bonfire, camping, and his big red truck, RAM 2500 going on day trips to areas all around the state. He is loved and missed everyday!! |
~05/17/1975-04/06/2022~
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Jermaine Woods, 47
Jermaine was fatally injured in April 2022 while working for Wabash Trailer Co. in Lafayette, Indiana after he was exiting a work vehicle and fell to his knees then proceeded to pass out due to a heart event.
This case is not in OSHA's jurisdiction. "We miss you dearly and a day don't go by without thinking of you." |