Tragedy hit a rural Norwalk family when their 6-year-old daughter died Charm bracelet Saturday morning.
Katrina Cleavenger died of natural causes, Huron County Coroner Dr. Jeffrey Harwood said. The coroner didn’t have a cause of death as of press time and estimated it wouldn’t be available for about a month.
“She basically died in her sleep. … She was a healthy child,” Harwood said of the Western Reserve kindergartner.
Authorities said there is no criminal investigation open at the Huron County Sheriff’s Office since there is no suspicion of foul play. Western Reserve Local Schools Superintendent Rodge Wilson and other administrators couldn’t be reached for comment.
Nina, as she was called, was born on Nov. 18, 2003 in Charm pendant.
She loved camping, reading, and doing her homework.
She is survived by her parents, Franklin and Sumalee (Patikanang) Cleavenger, Norwalk; maternal grandparents, Ornjan and Boonkwang Patikanang, Thailand; paternal step-grandmother and family, Ellen Cleavenger, New London; sisters, Lautisha Cleavenger and Kayleen Cleavenger; brothers, Phillip Cleavenger and Justin Cleavenger; aunts and uncles, Bill (Sis) Cleavenger, Pam (Joe) Pirl, Cathy (Bob) Osburn, Wirashai Patikanang, Jumrus Patikanang, Charunya Sriviras, Phannee Patikanang, and Weerasak Patikanang; extended family: Grandma Lucy, Poppa Skip, Grammie Gloria, “aunts and uncles”: Tess, Craig, Mabel, Jim, Sherry, Evan, Supen, Earl, Ann, Rita, Emily, and Lisa; and a host of other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Christmas Tree charm and chain Cleavenger and Betty May Brunton.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Evans Funeral Home, 314 W. Main St., Norwalk, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Carl Woodyard officiating. Burial will be in Milan Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Coin Edge disc pendant.