On Thursday March 22, 2018, at 2:57 p.m., Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from a motorist who was in the area of Matznick Road and Arch Road, rural Prophetstown, IL. The reporting motorist observed an elderly male subject in a field. The elderly male appeared to have been burning grass on his property along the roadway near the field, when he was discovered by the motorist.
The elderly male succumb to his burns and was pronounced deceased on scene, by Whiteside County Coroner Joe McDonald. Deputies were assisted by Prophetstown Police, Lyndon Police, Prophetstown Fire and Ambulance, and Whiteside County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy was scheduled for Friday, March 23.
The man has been identified as 89-year-old, Curtis D. Varney of Sterling, IL. The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office sends their thoughts and prayers to his family, for their loss from this tragic accident.