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Illinois town bids farewell to victim of Kentucky crash

Posted January 06, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A 14-year-old southern Illinois girl killed with three relatives in a Kentucky plane crash that her younger cousin survived has been eulogized as a fun-loving, artistic soul.

Services were Wednesday for 14-year-old Sierra Wilder at Campagna Funeral Home in the town of Nashville. She died in the Jan. 2 crash along with Nashville furniture store owner Marty Gutzler, wife Kim Gutzler and their 9-year-old daughter, Piper.

The Gutzlers' other daughter, 7-year-old Sailor Gutzler, survived. She managed to crawl from the wreckage and endure bone-chilling cold during her mile-long trek through woods to a home where she told the occupant about the crash.

Private services for the Gutzlers are Friday.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what caused the crash.

Nashville is 50 miles east of St. Louis.

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