NORTH VERNON — Waylon Moore’s family suffered an inconceivable loss on Aug. 11.
The storm that ripped through Jennings County that day destroyed their home in the Country Squire Lakes neighborhood in North Vernon and killed Waylon, a 4-year-old boy, while he was playing with toys.
Waylon was the youngest of the eight people in Indiana who died from the August storms.
Jennings County Coroner Alden Rudicel released Waylon’s name last week. Rudicel, who is also a funeral home director, said the death hit the rural community hard.
Waylon had been eating a meal with his dad and grandparents, Rudicel said, when he asked to be excused from the table to play. Moments later, an uprooted tree fell on the bedroom he was in.
“It was so heartbreaking,” Rudicel said.
Wheelin’ for Waylon
What: Motorcycle ride fundraiser for Waylon Moore’s family
When: noon Oct. 10
Where: Vernon Gym, 29 Washington St., Vernon
Cost: $25 per vehicle, plus $5 for passengers
Other details: Donations are being collected for a raffle and silent and live auctions. Email kia2004owner@gmail.com to arrange a donation.
The family didn’t respond to FPI News’ request for an interview, but the community is rallying to support them with a fundraiser planned for Oct. 10.
Debbie Clements, who is organizing the fundraiser, never met Waylon and doesn’t know his family. Still, she felt moved to do something to help.
“This happened in the community where I live, and it breaks my heart,” Clements said. “There was nothing that could have prevented this, nothing anyone could have done.”
“Wheelin’ for Waylon” will include a motorcycle, side-by-side and Jeep ride, plus a cornhole tournament, food, raffle and silent and live auctions.
The cost is $25 per vehicle, plus $5 for passengers.
She said a person close to the boy’s family conferred with them and got permission for the event being held on their behalf.
A GoFundMe account has raised more than $15,000 to help with funeral and housing expenses since the family’s mobile home was destroyed.
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FPI News reporter Laura Lane covers the people and issues of rural Indiana. Reach her at 812-760-1540 or laura.lane@fpinews.org.
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