Jackson Citizen Patriot
Copyright 2008 Jackson Citizen Patriot
 Photo courtesy of Jackson Community Ambulance EMT Cheryl Kiefer |
JACKSON, Mich. — Becky Verdier said she didn’t have much in common with her sister, Cheryl Kiefer, but their relationship was still special.
“I always tried to be like you,” Verdier said through tears. “I never got to tell you this, but you were one of my heroes.”
Verdier, 18, of Manitou Beach, was one of many Thursday who honored Kiefer at Somerset Beach Campground.
Kiefer, 23, an emergency medical technician, died Saturday morning after an SUV rolled over her as she worked for Jackson Community Ambulance.
Kiefer and her partner were assisting a woman whose truck had spun into a ditch on I-94 near Kalmbach Road in Wash-tenaw County’s Sylvan Township, when a 46-year-old man lost control of his SUV.
The vehicle rolled on top of Kiefer, pinning her between the SUV and the truck, police said.
It was the first crash to kill a working employee of Huron Valley Ambulance, which operates Jackson Community Ambulance in conjunction with Foote Health System.
More than 500 people, many of whom were local public-safety personnel, attended the funeral.
Carrie Hamilton, a co-worker and friend, said she met Kiefer during orientation and found that Kiefer loved to help others.
“She was so full of life and always had a good attitude,” she said.
Kiefer’s grandfather, Wayne Love of Jerome, remembered the many times he received hugs from his granddaughter and the way she laughed.
“I loved that little girl from the time she was born to the present,” he said. “She was my sugarplum.”
The Rev. David Luke, pastor of the Somerset Beach Free Methodist Church, officiated at the funeral.
Luke said Kiefer didn’t seek attention and enjoyed spending time with her cousins.
“She didn’t care to be in the limelight. But she wanted to help,” he said. “Even on her last day of work, my understanding is she volunteered for that shift.”
Kiefer is survived by her parents, Ron and Kathy of Brooklyn; her grandfather, Wallace Kiefer; and aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.