Tree suffocates bus driver

A Jackson Township man was killed Saturday morning after a tree fell on him.
William Lykins, 66, 3272 North 250 West, died from asphyxiation at a property in rural Portland.
According to Jay County coroner Jason White, Lykins was cutting down a tree at the property when it fell on him. Eric Whitenack, the property owner, reported the accident to Jay County 911 at 10:30 a.m.
Lykins was a full-time bus driver for Jay Schools, where he worked for 14 years. He drove in the Bryant area, and school corporation officials and community members were at Bloomfield Elementary School this morning to counsel students.

Superintendent Tim Long said Lykins will be missed.
“He was just a great man, always had a smile and a very good and loving person,” he said. “Everyone respected Bill Lykins, that’s for sure.
“We’re just saddened, and our thoughts are with his family.”
Born in Portland on April 1, 1948, Bill Lykins was the son of Robert and Thelma Mae (Gibbs) Lykins. A 1966 graduate of Portland High School, he was married on May 24, 1969 to Carol Hough, who survives.
He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of American Legion Post No. 211 in Portland. He was also a member and past director of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association.
Lykins worked for General Electric for 23 years and later worked for Harvest Land Co-op in Bryant and as a groundskeeper at Jay County Fairgrounds.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Scott Lykins (wife: Lisa), Bryant, and Chad Lykins (wife: Briggett), Portland; a daughter, Amy Shaneyfelt (husband: Jamie), Portland; a brother, David Ferguson (wife: Judy), Fort Wayne; a sister, Roseanna Moore, Ridgeville; and 10 grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home, Portland, with Pastors Wilbur Taylor and Randy Davis officiating. Burial will be in Gravel Hill Cemetery, west of Bryant.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and one hour prior to services Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bairdfreeman.com.