Families, Friends & Students Mourn Loss Of 2 Oklahomans Who Died On Icy Waters

Families, friends and students are grieving after two people in northeast Oklahoma died this week after walking on icy ponds, trying to rescue their dogs.

Friday, February 19th 2021, 6:14 pm

By: Amy Slanchik

OKLAHOMA -

Families, friends and students are grieving after two people in northeast Oklahoma died this week after walking on icy ponds, trying to rescue their dogs.

Cheryl Bertelli lost her fiancé, 53-year-old Greg Garner, after he fell through an icy part of Grand Lake Monday night, trying to rescue their two dogs.

In a message, she said, "I loved Greg so much. We were getting married this summer. I am lost without him."

Officials said 17-year-old Tristan Gaither died trying to rescue her dog in her family's pond in Dewar.

Cheyenne Petrovic was Gaither’s chemistry teacher.

"She was quiet, but always in a good mood. You almost never caught her in a bad mood. She was very encouraging to the other students. She was just a really good kid,” Petrovic said.

The district said Gaither, a junior, was a cheerleader and very involved at school.

"Just devastation. Just heartfelt sorrow for the families that are having to go through that,” Okmulgee County EMS Chief James Nichols said.

Nichols showed just how thin the ice was at Kiddy Lake in Okmulgee, in hopes of preventing others from stepping on it.

While animal footprints are left behind on the top layer of the ice, he easily pushed a tree branch through the thin layer.

"There where we were, probably less than an inch. There might be some spots that are about two, but no more than that,” Nichols said.

Experts say ice needs to be at least four inches thick to be safe enough for people to walk on, and Nichols said we likely will not ever see that in Oklahoma.

"You're not. We just saw extreme cold, but it only lasted a few days,” he said.

While first responders warn of the danger that comes with ice, Petrovic, who is also the school counselor, has this message for anyone grieving right now.

"Don't be afraid to talk about it. Don't be afraid show your emotions, to be upset, to be hurt. Don't be afraid to try to hide that,” she said.

Petrovic said on Friday there were several resources available to students, first responders and anyone else who needed to talk. She said aside from herself, a Henryetta Public Schools counselor, along with several church leaders and Muscogee Creek Nation Behavioral health counselors were also available.

The district will also have counselors available Monday for anyone who wants to talk.

A GoFundMe has been created to support the family of Tristan Gaither.