Family mourns for two brothers killed in car accident

The funeral will be today for two brothers who died Friday, Aug. 2, 2013, in a car accident in northern Michigan.Family members are gathering to mourn for Jeffrey M. Toole, 49, and Joel W. Toole, 43, who were born in Owosso and lived in Thompsonville.The brothers were headed north on M-37 near West Center Road in Mayfield when a semi-truck crossed the center-line and struck their pickup, police said. The driver of the semi was charged with two counts of a moving violation causing death.Jeffrey Toole graduated from Owosso High School and Kendall School of Design in Grand Rapids and worked for Materne North America in Grawn. His family remembers him as a good storyteller who was easy to talk to and had a great sense of humor. He loved spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.Joel Toole is remembered as a compassionate person who would lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He enjoyed gardening, playing the guitar, and hunting.Both brothers were fans of the Detroit Tigers and Michigan State University sports.Joel is survived by his wife Tina; stepson Steve Cripps; sisters Cynthia (Richard) Young and Jennifer (Ken) Gillett; grandmother Olive M. Connor-Routson; aunt Martha (Joe) Preloznik; nieces and nephews Ryan, Justin (Fran), Hannah (Ben), Hunter, Jessica, Michael, Madison, Bradlee and Karlee.Jeffrey is survived by his children Ryan Toole, Justin (Fran) Toole and Hannah (Ben) Seitz; grandchildren Madison, Samuel, Jacob, Bradlee and Karlee; sister Cynthia (Richard) Young and Jennifer (Ken) Gillett; grandmother Oliver M. Connor-Routson; aunt Martha (Joe) Preloznik; nephews Hunter and Michael; niece Jessica; several cousins and other loving family members and friends.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9, at Nelson-House Funeral Home in Owosso. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from noon until 2 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family.