A major tragedy last week struck a family in the Bluffton school district and a community response is underway to assist them.

The Shawn Justus family of Beaverdam lost their house and all belonging is a house fire on Dec. 18. The residence was on Lincoln Highway between Beaverdam and Cairo.

Beaverdam-Richland Township Fire Department responded to the blaze and called Bluffton and Cairo departments for backup.

The fire was not the only tragedy for the family this year.

On May 3, Vivia Justus, 37, wife of Shawn, and mother to the five Justus children, died of cancer. One month ago, Shawn’s father, Danny Justin, also died.

The Icon understands that three of the children in the family attend Bluffton schools. Another is a student at Ohio Northern University and a fifth is in the U.S. Marines.

A “Go Fund Me” site on the Internet is established to assist the family. This site was created by a neighbor of the family. Click here to access the site.

The Icon is not aware of other local organizations accepting funds for the family.