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Visitation today, services tomorrow for Tonganoxie postmaster; online account set up for contributions

By Shawn Linenberger - | Oct 3, 2016

An online account has been set up to help of the family of Tonganoxie’s postmaster, who died last week in a head-on crash along U.S. Highway 24-40.

Kelly Fowler, 51, who also was a 1983 Tonganoxie High School graduate, was killed Sept. 26 in the accident, which occurred near 243rd Street and U.S. 24-40 not far from her home south of Reno.

Her 16-year-old daughter Reagan and 1-year-old granddaughter Ariyah Selleck were passengers in the vehicle and taken to University of Kansas Hospital.

The gofundme account at gofundme.com/kelly-fowler was set up to help the family with expenses in the wake of the tragedy.

As of Monday morning, $1,425 had been raised on the site. Organizer Stacy Eastwood, a friend of the Fowler family, has set a goal of $10,000.

Services for Fowler are 11 a.m. Tuesday at West Haven Baptist Church, Tonganoxie. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. today at the church. Burial will be in Hubbel Hill Cemetery.

Fowler was born Nov. 7, 1964, in Allen County and married Mike Fowler on April 30, 1994. She was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. In addition to being Tonganoxie Postmaster, she was a member of the National Association of Post Masters and the APWU.

The accident occurred about 5:20 p.m. Sept. 26 on U.S. Highway 24-40 about 0.2 of a mile south of 243rd Street and 5 miles south of Tonganoxie.

According to Kansas Highway Patrol reports, Austin Michael Rose, 32, Eudora, was driving a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 truck north on U.S. 24-40 when his vehicle crossed the double line and struck a 2009 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Fowler, head on. Both vehicles came to rest on the right side of the road, according to KHP.

Fowler, who was wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Passengers Reagan Fowler, 16, and Ariyah Salleck, 1, both of Lawrence, possibly were injured, but KHP reports did not show them being taken to area hospitals.

Rose was injured in the accident and taken to University of Kansas Hospital.

Everyone involved in the accident was wearing safety restraints.