Efforts start to help Batavia family of explosion victims

Batavians are reaching out to the survivors of a Batavia couple killed in a house explosion Sunday in Wisconsin.

A fundraiser and gift card collections have been organized to help them pay for expenses.

Dennis Chidester was killed by the explosion, as was another adult, Juneau County, Wis., police said. A child was injured. According to Michelle Burgwaldt, a friend of the Chidesters’ daughter, the other victims were Dennis’ wife, Carolyn, and their 9-year-old granddaughter, Sydney. The donations will help the family with travel expenses since Sydney remains hospitalized in Madison.

Burgwaldt’s daughters and several other of the Chidesters’ grandchildren will run a lemonade stand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday near the Batavia Depot Museum, 155 Houston St. The cost is whatever you care to donate, for a beverage or baked goods.

North Island Deli is also collecting gasoline gift cards and prepaid credit gift cards. The deli is at 26 N. Island Ave., and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. After 8 p.m., donations will be accepted at an adjoining business, Bulldogs Red Hots, until 9 p.m.

Donations may also be delivered to Michelle Burgwaldt, 1415 Orion Road, Batavia.

The Batavia Overseas Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, is also collecting gas and gift card donations for the family, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at the post, 645 S. River St. It has also donated lemonade, cups, ice and baked goods to the lemonade stand.

The explosion happened around 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Juneau County. The Juneau County sheriff has not said what caused the explosion, nor has he confirmed whether it was Carolyn Chidester who was killed, nor the age, sex and name of the juvenile injured. He did confirm the death of Dennis Chidester.