TEUTOPOLIS – Hundreds gathered around St. Francis Church on Monday night to pay their respects to the five people who tragically lost their lives in the 2023 anhydrous ammonia accident in Teutopolis.
At 8:41 p.m. – the time of the 2023 accident – St. Francis Church’s bells rang out into the otherwise silent night.
The accident claimed the lives of Danny J. Smith, 67, from Missouri; Vasile Cricovan, 31, from Ohio; Kenneth Bryan, 34, of Teutopolis and Kenneth’s two children, Rosie Bryan, 7, and Walker Bryan, 10, of Beecher City.
Montrose Fire Department, Illinois Department of Transportation, Stewardson Fire Department, Effingham Fire Department, Teutopolis Fire Department, Illinois State Police, Effingham Sheriff’s Office, Teutopolis Police Department and more were in attendance to pay their respects. An American flag was hung from the end of an extended fire truck ladder over the sidewalk in support.
Eric Habing – who’s been a life-long member at St. Francis Church – organized the memorial in about ten days by posting an announcement on Facebook and reaching out to friends, family and community members.
“I didn’t know any of them, but I guess that doesn’t really matter. I just wanted to honor them and pay respects,” said Habing. “I’m glad so many people showed up. The turnout was good, especially from the departments.”
Although Teutopolis native Patty Ruholl wasn’t close with any of the victims, she still wanted to come and pay her respects. Her nephew was friends with Kenneth, Rosie and Walker.
Ruholl still remembers the day it happened. She, her husband, her son and her son’s friends were all at her house when her husband got a call from the fire chief telling them to evacuate as quickly as possible. She recalled it being hard to believe and a stressful time, especially because the accident was near her home.
“It’s just unbelievable that something like that could happen,” said Ruholl.
However, she appreciated the memorial and hopes there will be one next year.
“It brought tears to my eyes because it’s just hard to believe that … bad things happen like that,” said Ruholl. “This is great that Eric Habing brought this together and just made me feel really good inside, and then to remember the memory of those that suffered and lost loved ones. Just hard to believe.”
Teutopolis residents Dean Pals and Michelle Niebrugge attended the memorial, as well, because Pals’ son was a volunteer firefighter who responded to the accident. They didn’t know any of the accident’s victims, either.
“He was one of the first responders, and we know most of the volunteer firefighters,” said Pals. “So we’re just here to pay respect.”