Mardella Huff

Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer
Thursday, October 18, 1973
3 from family die in Marengo crash
Two others hurt as car hits tree
MARSHALL -- Three persons in the same family were killed and two were critically injured in a one-car accident early today in Marengo Township.

Dead are Mrs. Mardale Huff, 26, and two of her children, Dawn Marie, 5, and April Lynn, 5 months.

Remaining in critical condition late this morning in Leila Hospital, Battle Creek, were the father, Terry L. Huff, 29, and a son, Sean William, 5, a twin to Dawn. The family lives at 16550 24-Mile Road.

According to the Calhoun County Sherif's Department, Huff was driving the car west on Partello Road on the way to work at the Eaton Corp in Marshall.

The driver had rounded a curve between 20-Mile Road and I-94 and the car left the road on the right side and hit a tree, sheriff's deputies said. The accident occurred about 6:45 a.m.

Autopsies were scheduled for 1 p.m. today.

Calhoun County now has recorded 33 fatal accidents this year, compared with 36 on the same day last year.

Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer
Friday, October 19, 1973
Services Sunday for victims of crash
ALBION -- Services for Mrs. Mardale (Childers) Huff, 26, of 16550 24-Mile Road, and two daughters, all killed in an auto crash Thursday, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Court Funeral Home, Marshall.

Her husband, Terry L., 29, and son, Sean William, 5, who also were in the car, remain in critical condition today at Leila Hospital.

The dead daughters are Dawn Marie, 5, and April Lynn, 5 months.

Huff was driving the car which struck a tree on Partello Road near Marshall, according to Calhoun County sheriff's deputies.

Autopsy results were pending today.

Huff's parents, Thurman and Maxine Huff of the Albion area, were killed in 1949 when a Michigan Central freight train struck their truck near Albion.

Mrs. Huff was born in Harlan County, Ky., moved to Albion in 1964 and attended the Wright Beauty Academy in Battle Creek.

Survivors include her parents, Mrs. Nora Napier and William Childers, both of Harlan County; brothers, William Childers of Harlan County, Carl of Florida; a half-brother, Denver Napier of Harlan County; and sisters, Mrs. Inez Whitehead of Harlan County and Bonnie Clarkston of Indiana.