We're all doing just fine...
2003-01-24 - 8:24 p.m.
JUST HAPPENED UPON THIS WHILE CATCHING UP ON NEWS AROUND MY OLD HOMETOWN... I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.
Woman sees crash that kills husband, son
Men die in collision on Ohio 49 in Darke County
By Ben Sutherly
e-mail address: [email protected]
Miami County Bureau
GREENVILLE | Robin Porter lost her husband and 19-year-old son Tuesday, less than 24 hours after losing her home and belongings to fire.
The Greenville woman was driving behind Kevin D. Porter, 38, and his stepson, Gregory A. Combs, to her sister�s house in Union when, shortly after 2 p.m., she saw an International truck hit the Ford Mustang that Porter was driving. Porter had crossed the center line after losing control of the car near Grubbs-Rex Road in southern Darke County, on snow-covered Ohio 49.
Robin Porter was with her brother, Mike Marrick.
Her husband and Combs were killed instantly.
The truck's driver, Christian A. Vance, 28, of Fairborn, suffered minor injuries. He was treated at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton and released.
Monday afternoon, fire gutted the Porters� East Water Street home. Family members were there at the time, but escaped injury. Two firefighters suffered very slight injuries.
David McDermitt, Greenville�s assistant fire chief, said the fire apparently began in the basement, though its cause remains undetermined. Damage to the house and contents was estimated at $120,000.
Family and friends said the Porters ran a cleaning business, Perfection Janitorial, from their home. Combs was an employee.
"Our family was inseparable," Robin Porter said Wednesday. "We worked together, all three of us, as a team."
Kevin Porter and Combs hunted, boated and camped together, family members said.
"Greg has always considered Kevin as his dad for 17 years," said Robin's sister, Melinda Dye. "Kevin wouldn't accept being a stepfather. He was always his father."
Family and neighbors described Kevin Porter as someone who liked to make other people laugh.
"He was kind of a comic," said Robin's cousin, Jeanie Stamper of Huber Heights. She described Combs as shy, but polite.
Neighbors were still trying to make sense of the events.
"I just don't understand why," said Crystal Nunley, who lives two doors down from the Porters and considers them family. "That's too much loss for anybody."
Kevin and Robin Porter have two children: Brooke, 11, and Brandon, 6. Combs is survived by a 3-year-old daughter, Jesse Wion of Missouri.
Visitation for both men will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Kindred Funeral Home in Englewood. Services for both will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with burial at Arlington Cemetery.
Contributions may be made at Farmers State Bank, 675 Wagner Ave., Greenville, 45331.
"We want to thank everyone who's dropped off food, clothing for all their support," Dye said.
