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July 13, 2019 – July 19, 2019
SHAWNEE SORROW Two Recent Graduates of Shawnee High School in Medford Die Days Apart in Tragic Crashes Leaving Community in Grief By Mark Hatoff and Douglas D. Melegari Team Coverage
Photo By Craig Lohne
Shawnee High School Class of 2019 graduate Casey A. Lohne, who passed away in an automobile accident earlier this month.
Photo Courtesy GoFundMe
Shawnee High Sc ho Class of 2019 grad ol uate Daniel McDowell, who passed away June 24 followin g dirt bike acciden a t in Pennsylvania.
MEDFORD—The Shawnee High School community is mourning the loss of two of its recent graduates who died just days apart in separate and unrelated crashes. Casey A. Lohne, 18, of Medford passed away on July 5 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Winslow Township, while Daniel McDowell died five days before his 18th birthday in a June 24 dirt bike accident in Pennsylvania. “Our entire school community; st u d e nt s , t e a ch i ng st a f f, a n d administration are experiencing a great sense of sadness and loss,” wrote Matthew Campbell, principal of Shawnee, in two letters sent to school parents and guardians following the deaths. While Campbell could not be reached for comment on this story, he wrote in both letters that the “entire Shawnee family extended its deepest sympathy and concern” to the affected families “during this difficult time.” Lohne, according to his father, Craig, was due to attend Salisbury University in the fall after graduating from Shawnee on June 17, where he served as the Shawnee Football team manager for three years and was known for his school spirit. “During game days, he was always on the sidelines, raising a towel and trying to amp up the crowd,” recalled Craig Lohne about his son, noting that he was recently selected to serve as Salisbury University’s football team manager. “It was a white towel he would whip around to get the crowd to cheer his favorite football team.” Casey Lohne’s love of sports, his father
said, began when he turned 5 years old and joined area youth soccer, tee ball and baseball teams. In high school, Casey Lohne also participated in winter and spring track and field. “He’ll be remembered for his kindness and joy of sports,” Craig Lohne said. “He just loved to play—and play a sports game. He always had Wiffle ball games going. He always tried getting a basketball game going. He loved sports and getting other people to play with him. He was beyond kind.” Casey Lohne, also survived by his mother, Beth, and younger brother, Aidan, was pronounced dead at the scene of a head-on collision on Route 73, near Myers Avenue, according to Winslow Township Police Lt. Christopher Dubler. Lohne was driving northbound on Route 73, while Christa Galeota, 39, of Hammonton, was traveling southbound when their vehicles collided at around 4:16 p.m. Galeota escaped the crash with only minor injuries. As of July 11, an investigation into the crash is ongoing, according to Dubler. Casey Lohne had spent the earlier part of that day at the beach with his family and left there to go to work at Ponzio's Diner, according to his father. He said the crash happened while his son was traveling to work. “Casey was known for his smile and always being in a good mood,” Craig Lohne said. “Even if he was having a bad day, he wanted you to have a good day.” Those smiles had lasting impressions, including on Michelle Gerber, owner of Shear Serenity hair salon in Medford, who wrote an emotional eulogy on the establishment’s Facebook page, calling See SORROW/ Page 14
INDEX 2019 Burlington County Hobbyist..............................9 Marketplace.......................12 Farm Fair Guide .............. S1 Job Board..........................13 Opinion................................5 Community..........................6 Health..................................8 Leo the Lion Challenge.......6 Senior Column.....................6 Here's My Card..................10 Local News..........................3 Worship Guide.....................7
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