WEEK Weather

66 °F

M/CLEAR

WIND : ENE

5 mph

HUMIDITY : 81 %

August 20, 2008

More Weather

Dennis Trone Killed In Plane Crash

Tools

By Emily West

Story Published: May 6, 2008 at 11:54 AM CDT

Story Updated: May 6, 2008 at 11:54 AM CDT

A plane crash claims the life of a long time boat captain who has history in Peoria.

Multimedia

Watch The Video

Captain Dennis Trone died in a single-engine plane crash in Wisconsin Monday.

Trone was the former Captain of the Julia Belle Swain. The riverboat was in Peoria in the 1970's before the Spirit of Peoria came to town.

The Julia Belle Swain was designed and built by Trone.

It is now based in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The cause of Monday's crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities.

The sheriff's department says Trone was the only one on board. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy is planned for Tuesday.

View Oldest Comments First

Friday, Jun 6 at 1:11 PM Constance Wagnon wrote ...

Denny was a wondeful man, and the husband of a dear talented lady. He was beloved in life and will be remembered fondly by all who were fortunate enough to know him. He died in peace with God. For this we are all grateful.

Tuesday, May 20 at 9:28 PM Tom Roehm wrote ...

I met Cap't Trone when the then new JB Swain spent the summer in Evansville, IN. What a wonderful riverman he was. I rode in the pilothouse several times,met John Hartford and had the best times on the Ohio I've ever had. I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. God bless you, Cap't Trone,designer of the prettiest steamboat ever built. Fair winds to you.