Colin Grenn Benefit Concert

Please spread the word… July 11th 8:30 pm at Sazerac Lounge

Thank you for your support!

Funeral Arrangements

Colin’s Visitation will be at Herberts Funeral Home in Manistee on Friday May 22 from 2pm – 4pm and again from 7pm – 9pm.
Funeral Services will be at St. Mary’s Church in Manistee beginning at 11am on Saturday May 23. There will be a procession from the funeral home to the church.
Those who wish to take part in the procession are ask to meet at the funeral home anytime after 10am Saturday Morning.
ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.

There will be no graveside services.

View Herbert Funeral Home & St Mary’s in a larger map

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – Colin Grenn, 21, who was in critical condition after an East Grand Rapids house fire, died Tuesday.

But his organs were donated so others could live.

Grenn’s family is pleased with his decision to pass along the gift of life.

“What we’re planning on doing is celebrating May 19 now as a birthday for our family and all those that receive his organs today,” said Doreen Dill, Grenn’s aunt.
read more…

Today, at 2:05 pm, as myself and my family gathered, we were informed by the third team of doctors that Colin’s brain had completely ceased functioning.

It was a bittersweet day. Although I know in my heart, Colin is in the arms of God, I was not ready to give him up at the vigorous age of 21. However, in the true spirit of Colin’s generosity, there are many families celebrating Colin’s gift to them. His eyes will help someone see, his heart will help someone love, and the rest of his organs will help many others return to the life they once knew. I find a lot of comfort in that.

I have stayed at the hospital since the day Colin arrived, however tonight I came back to my sister Doreen’s house to be with my family who she has graciously housed and fed all week.

In the morning (or may be during the night) after all the recipients have been lined up, each team of doctors, for each recipient, will arrive at the hospital and the surgery to remove Colin’s organs will take place.
Those doctors then return to their patients to give them their new life.

As I left the hospital tonight, I could not stop kissing Colin, and telling him how proud I am of him. Not only for the way he lived his life with vigor in his amazing short life, but how very proud I am of him for being so courageous in this process even after his “death”.

I am eternally grateful and couldn’t possibly find the words to thank everyone for the comfort your words, thoughts and prayers have meant to me and my family during this past week of Colin’s journey into eternal life.

Our plan is to have Colin’s viewing on Friday, and the Funeral on Saturday. The boys and I have a lot to prepare before that….honestly…Colin would have had this all done by now!

His spirit, generosity and love will continue thru myself and his brothers every day of our lives.

From the bottom of my heart,

Connie

On Saturday May 16, a neurologist evaluated Colin’s brain activity. The prognosis was bleak. The family asked if Colin may be able to give the ultimate gift of love by donating his vital organs to those in need; Gift of Life was contacted.

Today, Sunday May 17, another neurological test was performed and the prognosis remained consistent with the previous assessment. It is now in God’s hands.

Family and friends continue to remain in a constant vigil at his side continually trying to lift Connie, Grandma Heide, Rudi, Tasha, Jesse, Jordan and especially Colin’s spirits and strength. We ask that you continue to include this family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult period of time.

Wood tv 8

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) – If not for the quick action of public safety officers and firefighters from East Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids, Kristen Marie Sternberger is not sure what the outcome would have been.

She was appreciative for the firefighters’ efforts as she left the East Grand Rapids public safety building Wednesday afternoon.

About 12 hours earlier, she was standing on the roof of the home she shares with two others, waiting for rescue.

“I saw flames coming from the back of the house,” Sternberger said.

There was only one way out.

“I kicked the screen out and got on the roof,” she said.

An East Grand Rapids public safety officer on patrol was first on the scene at the house in the 2200 block of Lake Drive.
read more…

WZZM

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) – One person is hospitalized and two others had to be rescued after their home was engulfed in flames early Wednesday morning.

The fire started around 3:30 a.m. on Lake Drive, right across the street from East Grand Rapids High School.

Authorities spotted a woman, Kristen Sternberger, and a dog on the roof of the house. Captain Chuck Lark of the E.G.R. Public Safety, “When they arrived there was a woman and dog on the roof. Our officers were able to get her off from the roof. They made an aggressive interior attack on the fire.” They also said inside they found a man, Jesse Grenn, on the first floor and another upstairs.

The man on the second floor, Colin Grenn, was unconscious and had to be resuscitated. He was taken to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital with serious injuries from smoke inhalation. He was later moved to the Blodgett Hospital burn unit and remains in critical condition.
read more…

mlive

EAST GRAND RAPIDS — A young man is in critical condition this morning after being rescued from a burning home on Lake Drive SE near East Grand Rapids High School.

His name was not released pending notification of family. He was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, then transferred to Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital, which has a burn unit.

Firefighters rescued the victim’s brother from the first floor, along with a woman who sought refuge with her dog on the roof of the two-story house at 2214 Lake Drive SE. Both people called 911 to report the 3:45 a.m. blaze that caused extensive damage to the house, East Grand Rapids Public Safety Capt. Chuck Lark said.

An investigator is on the scene this morning trying to determine a cause.

Those inside the house were believed to be sleeping when the fire broke out. Firefighters were trying to determine whether smoke detectors sounded. The fire likely burned for some time before anyone noticed and called for help.
read more…