Submitted by: Todd Nowicki
Donald J. Ornat: (South Bend Tribune
8/24/1959)
Five youngsters were drowned and a sixth was electrocuted while swimming in the South Bend – Mishawaka area Sunday as families flocked to lakes and resorts in an effort to escape the 95-degree heat and oppressive humidity.
Three of the drownings and the electrocution occurred in Southern Michigan, and the other two drownings in Northern Indiana.
Donald Ornat, 7, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ornat, 426 S. Kentucky St., South Bend, drowned in Chain-O-Lakes, west of South Bend, when he slipped from an innertube while swimming.
A former South Bend resident, Trudy Kay Hilborn, 18, who lived with her family on Rt. 3, Diamond Lake, was electrocuted when she touched a water pipe in Diamond Lake.
Terry Hickey, 13, of Rt. 1, Parker, drowned in Ridinger Lake, four miles from North Webster.
Harold Burkey, 3, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Burkey, 1524 Edwardsburg Ave., Elkhart, drowned when he wandered into Garver Lake near Edwardsburg.
Dennis White, 5, of Lamont, Ill., drowned in Cable Lake near Sister Lakes.
Timothy Love Jr., 15, of Detroit, drowned when he ventured outside a swimming area at a summer camp on Long Lake near Union.
Donald J. Ornat, 7, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ornat, 426 S. Kentucky St., South Bend, drowned about 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Chain-O-Lakes near Lydick in St. Joseph County.
The boy’s body was recovered in 10 feet of water about half an hour after he apparently slipped from an innertube, unnoticed by parents and relatives on the shore.
The boy’s empty innertube was spotted by his cousin, Tommy Losci, 9, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Locsi, 908 Fisher St. Locsi is a South Bend policeman.
The tube was discovered about 1:30, and sheriff’s deputies were called 20 minutes later after a search for the boy failed.
Warren and German Twp. Fire department crews brought resuscitation equipment to the scene.
The body was recovered by two skin divers about 20 feet from shore.
The skin divers were Richard Johnson, 728 ½ S. Fellows St., and Ralph Borysick, 25891 Edison Rd.
Donald was pronounced dean on arrival at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
The Ornat and Locsi families had gone to the lake about 9 a.m. Sunday for a day’s outing. The drowning occurred at Kleine’s Resort on the lake.
The victim was born on Sept. 10, 1951 in South Bend. He would have been a third grader at St. Adalbert’s School next month. Surving besides his parents, are a brother, Gerald, 12, at home; his maternal grandfather, Frank Nowacki, and paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Ornat, all of South Bend.
Friends may call after 7 p.m. today in the Kaniewski and Son Funeral Home. Services will be 9 a.m. Wednesday in St. Adalbert’s Church, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Ignatius Gapczynski, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.