A look at the 17 people killed in the Missouri boat accident

BRANSON, MO. » The 17 people killed when a tourist boat capsized in a Missouri lake included nine members of one family, a couple celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary and a grandmother who family members say saved her granddaughter’s life. A memorial service was scheduled for Sunday afternoon for those who died when the vessel, known as a duck boat, sank Thursday evening. A look at the dead: WILLIAM ASHER, 69, MISSOURI

ROSEMARIE HAMANN, 68, MISSOURI

Friends say Rosemarie Hamann and William Asher were a fun-loving couple who loved music and dancing. They lived in the St. Louis suburb of Affton.

They had just celebrated Hamann’s 68th birthday three days before their deaths.

Friend Russ McKay said he met the couple four years ago when they offered to help with a charity event McKay was organizing.

“They were so in love. It’s just heartbreaking,” McCay said.

JANICE BRIGHT, 63, MISSOURI

WILLIAM BRIGHT, 65, MISSOURI

William and Janice Bright were in Branson to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.

The Brights have three children and 16 grandchildren. In a Facebook posting about their anniversary last month, William reflected on the wonderful life he and his wife shared. “Still happy,” he wrote, going on to say, “it’s hard to believe how fast the time go ... it’s been a lot of fun.”

GLENN COLEMAN, 40, INDIANA

Glenn Coleman was among nine members of one Indiana family to die. His wife, Tia Coleman, and a 13-year-old nephew were the only members of the family who boarded the boat who survived. A photo of the family taken before the fateful ride shows all 11 relatives who got onto the vessel.

Glenn Coleman was a down-to-earth, laid-back father, said Serica Franklin, a cousin of his wife. His Facebook page is filled with photos of his family relaxing at the beach or dressed up for an event. When their youngest, Arya Coleman, was born last year, Glenn shared pictures of his “baby girl” and thanked his “wonderful, amazing wife.”

REECE COLEMAN, 9, INDIANA

EVAN COLEMAN, 7, INDIANA

ARYA COLEMAN, 1, INDIANA

Reece Coleman loved the water and his family took the Ride the Ducks tour because it was something he’d enjoy doing, said his mother, Tia Coleman. She described her son, who had autism, as “the happiest, sweetest boy,” who made every day worth living.

Meanwhile, Evan Coleman was excited to start second grade in a program for gifted children, Franklin said.

Franklin described Arya Coleman as a happy child who was “all smiles.” Franklin recalled holding Arya during a birthday party last week in Indianapolis, which will serve as a final living memory of the family.

“I want people to know that this was a very loving, close-knit family. Three beautiful bright children have lost their lives,” Franklin said. “There’s no way to make sense of it right now.”

ANGELA COLEMAN, 45, INDIANA

MAXWELL COLEMAN, 2, INDIANA

Angela Coleman would do anything for her family, said her sister-in-law, Tia Coleman, who called Angela her sister because they were so close.

Angela was the cook of the family and started a website called Angiee’s Elegant Eats, where she shared recipes and wrote restaurant reviews.

Angela’s son, Max, loved “big hugs and warm kisses,” Tia Coleman said. She called her nephew the “sweetest baby ever.”

BELINDA COLEMAN, 69, INDIANA

HORACE COLEMAN, 70, INDIANA

ERVIN COLEMAN, 76, INDIANA

Belinda and Horace Coleman, Tia’s mother-in-law and father-in-law, loved traveling together after they retired, especially on big family trips, a longtime friend said.

Horace Coleman worked for UPS before retiring, said longtime neighbor Maxine Gilliam. Horace, who went by Butch, also spent four decades coaching youth football, she said.

Belinda Coleman, who went by Toni, was a talented seamstress, Gilliam said.

Gilliam said she and Toni were like sisters.

Ervin Coleman was Horace’s brother and lived with Horace and Belinda.

LESLIE DENNISON, 64, ILLINOIS

Leslie Dennison died saving her 12-year-old granddaughter’s life, according to family members.

Dennison’s son, Todd Dennison, told the Kansas City Star that his mother, who lived in the western Illinois town of Sherrard, had taken his daughter on a special trip to Branson, Missouri.

Todd Dennison says his daughter told him that after the boat was submerged, she felt her grandmother below her, pushing her upward. “She said her grandmother saved her,” he said.

LANCE SMITH, 15, ARKANSAS

STEVE SMITH, 53, ARKANSAS

Though only 53, Steve Smith’s career in education was over. His son’s education was about to enter a new phase — high school.

Steve Smith taught math for many years in Osceola, Arkansas, before retiring in his early 50s, his father, Carroll Smith, said. He loved old Westerns and most visits to his parents’ house ended up with them watching a blackand-white movie. Smith was also active in his church.

Lance Smith was preparing for his freshman year at Osceola High School.

“It’s a hard thing,” Carroll Smith said of losing his only child and his only grandson. “It’s a very difficult day.”

BOB WILLIAMS, 73, MISSOURI

Bob Williams operated the duck boat while it was on land. He was a pastor in Rhode Island before moving to Branson.

Branson Mayor Karen Best called Williams “a great ambassador” for the city. “He was at every event. He knew everyone. He was always promoting Branson,” Best said.

Before moving to Branson, Williams had founded Cathedral of Life, now called King’s Cathedral, in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1999.

His son-in-law, the Rev. Jeffery Williams, now leads King’s Cathedral. He told WPRI-TV that Williams was a “prince of a man, loving, kind and generous.” He said the loss to the family is “incalculable.”