Obituaries

Wyandotte School Employee Killed, Along with Her Husband, Son

Dawn Gatesy worked for 16 years as a paraprofessional for Wyandotte Public Schools.

Wyandotte Public Schools' staff and students are mourning the loss of one of their own after a horrific traffic accident claimed the lives of a mother, a father and their adult son Monday afternoon.

William Gatesy Jr., 55, was driving the family's 2013 Ford Explorer on I-94 in Calhoun County, which is east of Grand Rapids, when it left the freeway and slammed into a tree at about 3:30 p.m.

His 53-year-old wife, Dawn Gatesy, and their 28-year-old son, William Gatesy III, also died in the crash. All three were from Allen Park.

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Dawn worked for 16 years as a paraprofessional for Wyandotte Public Schools. She was stationed at Wilson Middle School where she helped special education students.

In 2012, she was one of 14 district employees honored with an outstanding staff award.

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“She was a wonderful employee who supported students no matter what the issue was," superintendent Carla Harting said. "She was a great person who loved the kids.”

The elder William, who went by the nickname "Gator," was a retired Allen Park Department of Public Service worker. He also was a referee with the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association.

Two other passengers in the Gatesy's SUV — 81-year-old Eva Petterle of Allen Park and 27-year-old Shaun Crawford of Detroit — survived the crash and are being treated at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo for non-life threatening injuries, according to Fox-17 TV.

The five are said to have been returning home from visiting a casino in west Michigan, according to WDIV-TV.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash, specifically whether a medical emergency played a role.

The vehicle was traveling on eastbound I-94 when it went out of control, crossing the right-hand driving lane, careening down an embankment and into a tree, according to the Battle Creek Enquirer

The impact was so severe that the engine was separated from the rest of the car, according to the Enquirer.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

According to their online obituary, William enjoyed golfing, fishing and hockey. Dawn loved spending time with her family and friends, as well as helping special needs children and being outdoors. William III, known to friends as Billy, loved bingo, was an avid Michigan State University fan, enjoyed decorating for the holidays and always had a good time doing whatever he was doing.

William and Dawn were married for 34 years and are survived by two daughters, Nicole Montminy and Jennifer Fenner, and two grandchildren, Chase and Addison Montminy.

Friends of the family have set up an online account for those wishing to help with funeral expenses. 

"While donations cannot take away their pain, they will help to ease the financial strain of this tragedy and to show the Gatesy family we love them," the Give Forward page says.

Visitation is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at The Martenson Funeral Home, 10915 Allen Road, Allen Park. The funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at Allen Park Presbyterian Church, 7101 Park Ave. Interment will be at Michigan Memorial Park Cemetery in Huron Township.

 


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