85-Year-Old Essex Man Dies After ATV Falls Through Ice

(CBS) -- The body of an 85-year-old man was recovered from a lake Wednesday afternoon after his ATV fell through the ice in Essex, Illinois.

The Kankakee County coroner identified the man as 85-year-old Lloyd Meredith. A search launched just after 2 p.m. on Lake Shannon when someone reported Meredith missing along with his ATV.

Crews found tire tracks that lead to a hole in the lake about 20 feet from shore. That's where rescuers started searching for Meredith who they think fell through the ice.

It took several hours for a dive team using sonar equipment to find Meredith 10 feet under in the lake on the property he's owned for more than half a century.

Fire Chief Austin Vining says Meredith is well-known and well-liked in the community.

"We've done a lot of training out there," Chief Vining said. "He's given us facilities to train on, He's done a lot of donations for us."

Neighbors who live on his 450 acre property say even in his old age, he was a hard worker and kept up the community where 200 people call home and many come to visit.

"This park was his whole life," said Michelle Pina. "He built it from the ground up."

Residents say Shannon Shores won't be the same without Mr. Meredith.