Tragedy Stabs at the Heart of New Lenox: 2012 Year in Review

I'm fairly certain there's never been a Year in Review before for a category of stories that ended in the tragic loss of young lives in New Lenox alone. As a parent and community member, I'll attempt here to honor the lives of those we lost too young. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the children we lost in 2012 from this community.

For some, the heartbreak will continue even in the courthouse, as the cases are heard and decisions are handed down.   

From a look at this lengthy list, it's obvious that these young lives had touched so many others.  Some wrote eulogies in a song, and others dedicated baseball games or soccer tournaments. Still, the practical approach seemed to drive another needed and helpful outreach response. As such fundraisers and bank accounts were established to gather a steady source of ready income for families too emotionally depleted to focus on such matters.   

As a community, residents wrapped their collective arms around these families in 2012. Before some of those named below were lost, residents in June came together at the Village Commons to honor the young lives robbed from the community of New Lenox since 1970. A lengthy list of names were read. Their deaths were attributed to illness, war, undetected physical conditions, tragic accidents and more. 

A Community Mourns:

Tommy Schuman, 18, a Lincoln-Way Central High School senior

Kaitlyn Moak, 18, a Providence Catholic High School senior

Austin Lempora, a Lincoln-Way Central High School senior

Karly Little, 9, a 4th grader at Nelson Ridge School

Lucy Prunty, 14, an in-coming sophomore at Lincoln-Way West High School

Bart Lenz, 21, a graduate of Lincoln-Way Central High School

Zach Orel, 25, a graduate of Lincoln-Way Central High School

Adam Homer, 18, New Lenox

Dan Healy, 20, New Lenox

Jake Stevens, 22, a Lincoln-Way Central High School graduate from Manhattan

Matt Zack, 22, a graduate of Lincoln-Way Central High School from Manhattan

Bryan Bulger, 26, Manhattan

Stories about Tommy Schuman:

• Community Mourns Sudden Death of L-W Central Senior

• WATCH: L-W Central Student Writes Song for Tommy Schuman

• #RIPTommy: Community Responds to Loss of Tommy Schuman

• L-W Central Baseball Family Tips Collective Cap to Tommy Schuman

• Together for Tommy: 'There Are More Important Things Than Just Baseball'

• L-W Central Baseball Coach Sean Bieterman Makes Difficult Decision to Move On

Stories about Kaitlyn Moak:

• Community Mourns Death of 2012 Providence Graduate Kaitlyn Moak

Stories about Austin Lempora:

• L-W Central Football Player Dies From Heart Attack

• The Lincoln-Way Community Says 'Good-Bye" to Austin Lempera

• #RIPAustin: L-W Students Mourn Loss of Classmate Austin Lempera

Stories about Karly Little:

• New Lenox Girl Dies in Fatal Car Crash in Kankakee County

• Soccer Team Mourns Death of 9-Year-Old Member Karly Little

• Kids Band Together to Fundraise for Karly Little Family

• 9-Year-Old's Death Spurs Memorial Fund to Support Family

• A Legacy for 9-year-old Karly Little; She Died Too Young

• Funeral for 9-Year-Old Karly Little Brings Remembrance of Her 'Heartfelt Compassion'

• New Life Church Follow Up for the Family of Karly Little

Stories about Lucy Prunty:  

Stories about Bart Lenz:

• Memorial Services Set for Men Who Died in Pipeline Explosion

• Pipeline Explosion Survivors Get Skin Grafts as Investigation Continues

Stories about Zach Orel:

• Memorial Services Set for Men Who Died in Pipeline Explosion

• Pipeline Explosion Survivors Get Skin Grafts as Investigation Continues

Stories about Jake Stevens:

• Manhattan Man in Fatal Car Accident Identified

• Man Charged With DUI After Fatal Accident

• Man Charged in Fatal DUI Makes First Pre-Trial Appearance

• New Lenox Man Appears on DUI Charge Stemming From Fatal Wreck

• Mom of Manhattan Man Killed in Fiery Frankfort Crash Sues Driver

Story about Matt Zack:

• L-W Central Grad Dies in Scooter Accident

The Community Honors the Fallen since 1970

• New Lenox

• Remembers its 'Fallen Angels' With Balloon Release

• Remembering the Local Students Who Died Young

• VIDEO: New Lenox Remembers Students Who Died Young

If there are others who passed away this year, please add their names.

Readers might like other "2012 Year in Review" stories:

• New Lenox's Top Stories for 2012
• New Lenox Attracts New Business in 2012

Two ways to stay connected:

• Sign up for breaking news on New Lenox Patch
• Llike New Lenox Patch on Facebook