Body pulled from frigid Lake Shannon in Essex

ESSEX, Ill. (WLS) -- The body of an 85-year-old man who plunged through an ice-covered lake in Kankakee County was recovered Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Kankakee County Coroner Robert Gessner identified the victim as Lloyd Meredith, of Essex, Ill.

Meredith was driving an ATV on Lake Shannon, about 20 miles west of Kankakee, when he fell through the ice, Gessner said. Divers found his body around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in approximately 10 feet of water.

"Anyone who knows Lake Shannon knows Lloyd, and they always say, 'How's Lloyd?'" one neighbor said.

Meredith was well-known in the area, where he owned several lakeside properties. Neighbors said he was very familiar with Lake Shannon.

"It's not going to be the same around here, not seeing him driving around and maintaining his property," said Jason Sternquist, a neighbor.

Meredith's death adds to a disturbing recent trend of people falling through ice.

On Monday, in Fox Lake, snowmobiler Kyle Smart was rescued from the icy waters of Nippersink Lake. Someone heard the 34-year-old screaming for help and fire fighters were able to get to him before he went under.

In Lake Geneva, Mark Reniger wasn't so lucky. The 53-year-old Wheeling man was snowmobiling when his sled fell through the ice. He did not survive.

With the spring thaw coming, rescuers say no one should venture out on any ice.