Ohio man dies in crash after fire kills grandkids

OAK HILL, Ohio – A funeral for three children killed in a weekend fire now also will be for their grandfather, who was killed in a crash on his way to be with his grieving daughter.

Family members will hold a joint funeral Thursday for Marc Royce and his grandchildren, officials with the Kuhner-Lewis Funeral Home said Wednesday.

Royce was killed in a crash Tuesday as he was driving from Columbus to help his daughter, Kasey Stacey, with her children's funeral arrangements, funeral home director Jason Brown confirmed. Messages were left for the family at the funeral home.

Royce's grandchildren — 3-year-old Dwayne Stacey, 2-year-old Emily Stacey and 11-month-old Alexis Stacey — died Saturday in a fire at their mobile home in Wheelersburg, on the Ohio River. A state fire marshal's spokesman has said the accidental fire was caused by a kerosene heater. Preliminary autopsy reports showed the children died of smoke inhalation, burns or both.

Royce, 46, of Columbus, died Tuesday when another car crossed the median of U.S. 23 near Circleville, directly south of Columbus, and crashed into his car head-on, authorities said. Royce's wife, Misty Royce, was injured and died at a Columbus hospital.

Misty Royce's two children, ages 10 and 9, and the couple's 6-month old son were with them, and they were in stable condition at a Columbus hospital Tuesday, authorities said. There names and conditions were not available Wednesday.

The other driver, Nisa Kolovich, and passenger Martha Bledsoe, both of Lyburn, W.Wva., were taken to a Columbus hospital. The women were in fair condition Tuesday, authorities said. A message was left at the hospital Wednesday.