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Man offers custom caskets for victims of Texas church shooting

Trey Ganem to stay in Sutherland Springs until work finished

SUTHERLAND SPRING, Texas – The mental and emotional exhaustion of mourning loved ones and praying for others in the hospital is leaving the families of the victims of the Sutherland Springs church shooting with little energy to plan funerals.

A man from two hours away has offered to create free custom caskets for the victims.

Mother Joann Ward, 5-year-old daughter Brooke and 7-year-old Emily were killed in Sunday’s mass shooting at First Baptist Church. Daughter Rianna, 9, and 5-year-old son Rylan were injured.

LATEST NEWS ON TEXAS CHURCH SHOOTING 

Rylan was shot five times and is still in and out of surgery.

The family, under so much stress, said it is beyond grateful for help from all over the nation.

“This guy is offering to make caskets,” said Sandy Ward, Joann Ward’s mother-in-law and grandmother of the victims.

READ MORE: Grandmother loses 2 grandchildren, daughter-in-law in Texas church shooting

Trey Ganem, from Edna, Texas, is now staying full time in Sutherland Springs and offering families free custom detailed caskets.

“I have children, and to think that would happen to me, it's heart-wrenching and pulls me down deep and makes me want to do the best we can,” Ganem said.

Ganem has met with a few families already who said they are thankful for the donation and custom designs.

“I want to create the most beautiful thing for them and represent their loved one. What we do is not painting a casket, it's telling their story,” Ganem said.

Ganem did the same for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting. He wants other families out there to know he will stay in town and work until everyone who needs a casket gets one.

Continuing coverage on KSAT.com:

Photos, videos from Sutherland Springs church shooting scene 

Pastor says victims in church shooting 'were believers, with their Lord and savior right now'

Reactions pour in following mass shooting at church in Sutherland Springs, Texas 

New details about victims, gunman released in First Baptist Church shooting

Men shot at, chased after Sutherland Springs church shooter 

Vigil held outside First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs 

Wilson County Sheriff: 'No way' for people to escape church shooting 

A look inside Sutherland Springs' First Baptist Church before mass shooting


About the Author
Courtney Friedman headshot

Courtney Friedman anchors KSAT’s weekend evening shows and reports during the week. Her ongoing Loving in Fear series confronts Bexar County’s domestic violence epidemic. She joined KSAT in 2014 and is proud to call the SA and South Texas community home. She came to San Antonio from KYTX CBS 19 in Tyler, where she also anchored & reported.

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