Community pays tribute
SUMMIT TWP — In memory of a 4-year-old boy who loved tractors, trucks, and the outdoors, family and friends incorporated all of his favorite things at his funeral Friday.
Colbee Lovich died Monday a few days after an all-terrain vehicle accident Sept. 12 at his family's home on Herman Road in Summit Township. He was the son of Dereke and Kelli Jo Lovich.
School buses, motorcycles, fire trucks, dump trucks and tractors were included in his funeral procession. It ran from the Martin Funeral Home in Butler out Herman Road to the Saint Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church.
On the way, the vehicles passed Colbee's little toy John Deere tractor. It was placed next to a number of John Deere and Farmall tractors lined up at the Herman Volunteer Fire Department
Many of those who came to the funeral also wore camo gear in honor of him. Some loved ones affectionately called him “Colbz.”
There was a luncheon at the fire hall after his funeral.
Rob Shuler, assistant fire chief at Herman Fire Department, said friends and neighbors have been tremendous.
“It's incredible the amount of community support that's been here,” he said. “I've never seen anything like this.”
He said six fire departments were involved in the procession as were several businesses, family members and friends. Many others brought food, or showed their support in other ways.
Rather than one person being involved with the special arrangements, Shuler said it was a community outpouring.
“It was more of a community coming together,” he said.
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