Submitted By: Mary Jo Koran

FORTIN

Burks

Heed

Homer

Wraight

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – July 14, 1986

Crystal Fortin

June 14, 1912 – July 13, 1986

Crystal Fortin, 74, 1522 Rosemary Lane, died about 45 minutes after a traffic accident on Indiana 31 near Kelly Road about 12:45pm, Sunday, according to Indiana State Police.

Deputy Coroner Dr. Lawrence Curry was investigating the death to determine the extent that the traffic accident was related to Mrs. Fortin’s death, but had made no ruling by late this morning.  An autopsy had been ordered.

Officials said Mrs. Fortin was a passenger in a car driven by her husband, Gilbert, 76, of the same address.  Police said the Fortin vehicle was south bound on the highway when it started to slow and pull off the right side of the road. Police said a car driven by Caroll Bontrager, 71, of 10101 Pierce Road, Wakarusa, also was southbound on the highway when it struck the rear of the Fortin car.

Mrs. Fortin stopped breathing about 45 minutes after the accident occurred. Police said Trooper Lennie Frye began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the woman until emergency medical personnel arrived.  As Mrs. Fortin was being transported to St. Joseph Hospital, Mishawaka, she again stopped breathing.

Mrs. Fortin was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Mrs. Fortin retired from Sears Roebuck & Co.  She was born June 14, 1912, in LaPorte, and lived in South Bend most of her life and live in Port Charlotte FL during the winter.

On August 17, 1932, in South Bend, she married Gilbert H. Fortin, who survives.  Also surviving are two daughters, Shirley Ann Burks of Granger and Sandra May Wiseman of Schaumburg IL; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Wraight of South Bend and Wilma Homer of Valparaiso.

Services will be at 11am Wednesday in Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William St.  Burial will be in Southlawn Cemetery.  Friends may cal from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm Tuesday in the funeral home.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Order of Eastern Star Chapter 2, and Golden Rod Chapter 1260 of Royal Neighbors of America.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the church.

FORTIN AUTOPSY RESULTS GIVEN

Crystal Fortin, 74, of 1522 Rosemary Lane, died as a result of medical reasons secondary to an automobile accident, according to Deputy Coroner Dr. Lawrence Curry.  The accident occurred at 12:45pm Sunday on Indiana 331 and Kelly Road.  She stopped breathing approximately 45 minutes after the accident.

An autopsy was ordered to determine whether her death came as a result of the accident.