WalkertonA memorial is laid at the front of Walkerton District Community School after a tragic collision. Photo by JC Coutts
Midwestern

UPDATE: Funeral arrangements announced for victims in Walkerton tragedy

Funeral arrangements have been announced for all five of the victims of a recent tragic crash that claimed the lives of four students and a teacher from Walkerton District Community School.

The family of Rowan McLeod has announced via the Rhody Family Funeral Home that a "time of remembrance honouring Rowan’s life will be held at the Chesley Arena (129 4th Ave. S.E.) on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 2 p.m., with a casual celebration of her life to follow until 5 p.m."

The McLeod family is asking that attendees where the colour pink, which was a favourite of Rowan.

Also, the family of Kaydance Lynne Ford has announced via the Rhody Family Funeral Home that "celebration of her life will be held on the Chesley Ball Diamond (129 4th Ave S.E) on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 1 – 4 p.m., with sharing of memories taking place at 2 p.m."

The Ford family is asking for donations to the WDCS Sports and Shop Programs as expressions of sympathy. The family requests that you make cheques payable to Walkerton District Community School (WDCS), and indicate if the donation is for the sports program or the shop program in the memo line.

More information can be found on the Rhody Family Funeral Home site here: https://rhodyfamily.com/

Services for Olivia Rourke and Danica Baker will be held together at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, on the arena floor of the Walkerton Community Centre. A livestream of the service will be available through Olivia and Danica’s memorial page at www.cameronfuneralhomes.com.

Finally, services have also been announced for WDCS teacher Mathew Eckert. Visitation will be held at Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, 250 14th St. W., Owen Sound, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 12 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., and again on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

A Celebration of Mat’s Life will be held at Owen Sound District Secondary School, 750 9th St. W., Owen Sound, on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

An online fundraising campaign set up on behalf of the victims' families is still taking donations. The fundraiser had raised over $134,000 by Wednesday morning.

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