Dog Found: Couple Still Missing
Posted by Terry White on December 30, 2006
From today’s Dayton (OH) Daily News:
Search intensifies for Wenners
Couple’s black Labrador retriever found along property that abuts the Stillwater River.
By Ryan Justin Fox
BUTLER TWP., Montgomery County — Ever since the Christmas Day drowning of Craig and Patricia Wenner, Amy Eber had avoided even looking at the backyard of her Meeker Road home, which abuts the Stillwater River.
“The idea of looking out there and seeing someone is disturbing.” Eber said. “It’s just a horrible thing that happened.”
On Friday morning, the body of the Wenners’ black Labrador retriever, Shadow, washed up on an embankment on Eber’s property. The Wenners died after the dog jumped into the river. Patricia Wenner tried to save the dog, and then Craig Wenner jumped in to try to save his wife.
The search for their bodies intensified on Friday after a break in the weather and river conditions. Over 40 rescue officers from Englewood, Butler Twp., Huber Heights, Trotwood and Five Rivers MetroParks converged on the Stillwater.
Park rangers led the coordinated rescue effort that included cadaver-finding dogs, sonar equipment and dragging operations. Boat and dog teams combed both sides of the dam Friday while ground crews patrolled the banks along the river.
“It’s been difficult for sure,” said Five Rivers MetroParks Chief Ranger Larry Jones. “We just want to get them out of the water.”
Jones said park rangers and personnel have been extra determined to find Craig Wenner, a longtime employee at Englewood MetroPark, and his wife, both 50. Several rangers have canceled vacations to assist in the search effort.
“There is a sense of determination (among the park rangers) to help their own,” Englewood Assistant Fire Chief Ron Fletcher said. “But we’re all maintaining a high level of caution. We don’t want to have to rescue anybody else.”
The search continues today.
A trust fund was established for the couple’s teen-age daughters. Checks can be made to Carolyn and Sara Wenner College Fund and mailed to Montgomery County Credit Union, 409 E. Monument Ave., Suite 105, Dayton, OH 45402.
There will also be a memorial service for Craig and Patricia Wenner on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Brookville Grace Brethren Church on 665 W. Westbrooke Road. For more information, call (937) 833-5562 or brookvillegrace.org
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