3 days ago
Pellston community grieves after tragic drowning claims student, father
Pellston Public Schools is offering grief counseling after a student and his father drowned in Burt Lake on Saturday, July 5.
According to a Facebook post from Pellston Superintendent Stephen Seelye, a GoFundMe has been set up for funeral expenses for Christopher Houseworth, a junior at Pellston High School, and his father, Dale Houseworth.
More: Father, son die in northern Michigan drowning. What the Cheboygan County sheriff is saying
"Christopher was a student at Pellston High School — a remarkable young man whose light touched all who knew him. He was a gifted multi-sport athlete, known for his infectious smile and uplifting spirit. His presence brought joy to every room, and his memory will be cherished forever by students, staff and the entire Pellston community. His father, Dale, loved Christopher unconditionally and was his greatest supporter. He was a devoted father who helped shape Christopher into the exceptional young man we all admired," said the posting from Seelye.
Pellston Middle/High School will be offering counseling on Monday and Tuesday this week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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According to the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office, a father and son drowned at a state forest campground in Burt Township on July 5. The department said a 54-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Levering, died after the incident at Maple Bay campground on Burt Lake.
Deputies were dispatched after a call reported two individuals in distress in the water. Witnesses at the scene said the 16-year-old boy had been underwater for approximately seven minutes. His father entered the water to attempt to rescue his son.
Cheboygan County Marine Patrol, with assistance from bystanders, arrived on the scene within minutes and located the 54-year-old underwater. Shortly thereafter, the 16-year-old was pulled from the water.
Both victims were transported to the Maple Bay boat launch where emergency life-saving measures were administered. Despite efforts, the 54-year-old was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 16-year-old was transported to McLaren Northern Michigan hospital in Petoskey, where he later died.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Pellston community grieves after tragic drowning claims student, father on Burt Lake
