Person:Joyce Knight (3)

John Vitus Dietlein & Eva M. Lang Descendants Compiled October 1990 By Damian L. Dietlein Page 41 - 42 NEAR SINGING BRIDGE 2 Auburnites Drown in Bay

East Tawas - Two Auburn cousins drowned Tuesday afternoon in Upper Saginaw Bay near Singing Bridge about 10 miles south of Tawas City when they were caught by a strong undertow and pulled into deep water.

  The victims are Joyce Knight, 13, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Avery Knight, 402 E. Midland Road, and her cousin, Ronald Wackerly, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wackerly, 317 W. Midland Road.
  The victims and three other youths were reported swimming near the Lake Huron shore, according to Tawas City State Police. A strong undertow caused by swells six to eight feet high and wind pulled them into deep water.
  As four-foot waves crashed over them, Ronald, described as a strong swimmer, tried to save his cousin. He was last seen alive holding the girl but apparently became exhausted in the turbulent water, state police said.
  Ronald's father then took a small boat out to rescue the pair, but his outboard motor stopped within a few feet of them. The tipped over and the man, wearing a life jacket, was thrown into the lake.
  Able to reach shore were David Knight, 19, Auborn, a cousin of the victim; Marilyn Knight, 26, Auburn, the victim's sister, and Janet Bergman, 11, Meridian, Miss.
  Young Wackerly's body was discovered shortly after the mishap in about eight feet of water. Miss Knight's body was found at 8:18 a.m. today when it washed ashore a mile from the drowning scene.
  Discovery of the body ended and all-night search by Iosco and Arenac County sheriffs, East Tawas state police and the Coast Guard.
  During the search an Iosco County Sheriffs department patrol boat was swamped by the swells, throwing Deputy Jerry Kruse and two Coastguardsmen from Tawas Point into the water.
  In describing the drownings, a state trooper said:"All the young people were in trouble and were unable to help each other. The three who made it to shore had difficulty getting there." He said David Knight was given assistance by someone on shore."
  The young people and their families were vacationing in a cabin near the bridge.

[The Bay City Time, Wed., July 20, 1966]

DEATH: John Vitus Dietlein & Eva M. Lang Descendants Compiled October 1990 By Damian L. Dietlein Page 42 Joyce Knight Joyce Knight, 13, 402 E. Midland Road, Auborn, drowned Tuesday afternoon in Saginaw Bay, Born in Bay City on Dec. 23, 1952, she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Avery Knight, two sisters, and a brother. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Knight Funeral services for Joyce Knight will be Saturday 2 p.m. at the Auburn First Methodist Church, Rev. Floyd Braun officiating, burial in Floral Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call at the Taylor Funeral Home, Auburn after 7 p.m. Thursday until 10 a.m. Saturday and at the church from 1 p.m. till time of service. [The Bay City Times, Thurs., July 21, 1966.]