Published: January 30, 2009 10:55 pm      

Family sets up fund to benefit couple’s children

WINAMAC — The family of Kelsey and Andrew Minix is reaching out to the community for financial assistance.

On Jan. 5, the siblings, ages 10 and 14, lost their parents in what Winamac police are calling a murder-suicide. Police believe Jonathan Minix crashed his pickup truck into a truck carrying his wife, Ella May, and their children, Kelsey and Andrew, before shooting his wife and then turning the gun on himself.

Both husband and wife were pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner. The children were not physically injured.

Three weeks later, the children have transferred from Eastern Pulaski Community Schools to North Judson-San Pierre Schools, a move that was in the works before their parents died. They’re living in a small house with their maternal grandmother, Eva Howard, in Denham, and she is living on a fixed income.

Clark Stacy was Ella May Minx’s older brother. His wife, Angela, and daughter, Jennie, have set up a fund for the children.

Although Kelsey and Andrew will receive benefits from Social Security, they have no money set aside for the future.

“We want to get money started for their college,” Jennie said. “They’re 10 and 14, so it won’t be that long until they go.”

But if they don’t want to go to college, Angela said, the money would help them get a good start.

“The money, mostly, will go toward whatever they need through life,” said Angela. “Right now, they’re living in a little house, so me and my husband are trying to get them a bigger house.”

Angela said an account had been opened in her name and her husband’s name at First National Bank of Monterey in North Judson and that the children wouldn’t have access to the funds until they’re 18. “But if they need it, I can get it for them,” she said.

So far, donations are coming in slowly, according to Tanya Janik, head teller of the North Judson branch.

“We’ve had a few come in but not a tremendous amount,” she said.



Want to help?

• Donations for Kelsey and Andrew Minix may be made at First National Bank of Monterey at 556N U.S. 35 (P.O. Box 345), Winamac IN 46996, as well as at the North Judson branch, P.O. Box 7, North Judson IN 46366 and the Monterey branch, P.O. Box 8, Monterey IN 46960. Donations may also be made at Demotte State Bank, 10041N 558E, Demotte IN 46310.