Funeral For Tornado Victim Today

Ronald Pickett

www.keithswinneymusic.com

 

Ronald Pickett (right) with his bandmates Keith Swinney (center), Travis Drockelman (left), and Jack Addison (standing).

Keith Swinney Band

 

(Holton, Ind.) - Many folks who have been assisting with the tornado cleanup in Holton will pause Tuesday to say goodbye to one of the victims.

 

In Holton, two people were killed in Friday’s twister and six more were hurt.

 

One of the victims from the Holton tornado will be laid to rest Tuesday morning. Ronald Pickett was a former Holton firefighter and EMT.

 

He was also a member of the popular local music group, Keith Swinney Band. It was Keith who found Pickett, 59, after the tornado blew through.

 

Pickett’s funeral takes place at Neal’s Funeral Home in Osgood at 10:00 a.m.

 

The other victim was 20-something Mexico resident Armando Gonzalez, who was in town visiting friends.

 

The Holton Christian Church is trying to raise enough money to send Gonzalez’s body back to his home in Mexico.

 

Those six injured vctims were taken to Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville, with three later being transferred to University Hospital in Cincinnati with critical injuries. There’s been no update on their current condition.

 

LINKS:

 

ISP Give Tornado Donation Tips

 

Tornado Cleanup Underway In Holton

 

NWS Confirms EF3 Tornado In Holton

 

IDHS Gives Latest On Tornado Response Efforts

 

US 50 Closed In Holton Saturday

 

Tornadoes: “It Hit Before We Knew It”

More from Local News

Events

AUDIO: David Lee Murphy Joins Eagle Country 99.3 Morning Show

Hear Chelsie's chat with the country music icon.

The Farmer Music Center Unveils New Renderings

Cincinnati's next music venue will sit adjacent to Riverbend Music Center.

Developing Winter Storm Could Reach Ohio Valley by Saturday

Confidence is high on a widespread winter storm, but low on the exact storm track, timing and precipitation amounts.

Local Sports Report - January 20, 2026

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

Shawe's Barron Breaks Scoring Record, Named ORVC Player of the Week

Milan's Gabe Riehle also earned recognition.

Madison's Davis Named IBCA District 3 Player of the Week

Davis recently became Madison's all-time scoring leader.

On Air

Eagle Country 99.3 playing
Megan Moroney - Am I OK

Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter Wild Child 11:04
Easton Corbin A Little More Country Than That 11:01
Fox News Fox News National Newscast 11:00
Toby Keith I'm Just Talking About Tonight 10:57