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March 15, 2012

Fire victim Kori VanHulle remembered

Kingsley woman, 24, died in a house fire just north of Grand Rapids

BY ART BUKOWSKI abukowski@record-eagle.com

KINGSLEY — Mike Moran remembers Kori VanHulle's friendly, positive personality.

Moran, Kingsley High School's principal, taught VanHulle civics and economics before she graduated in 2005. She was quiet but personable, Moran said, and news of her death is troubling for many Kingsley-area residents.

"It affects a lot of people, and everybody's been talking about it," he said. "We're just deeply saddened that one of our own here in Kingsley, her life has been cut short."

VanHulle, 24, died Monday in a house fire in Kent County's Sparta Township, just north of Grand Rapids. She recently moved there and lived in the home with her boyfriend and three other people.

VanHulle was in the basement and couldn't escape when the fire broke out at about 2:30 a.m., police said.

Kent County authorities on Tuesday charged Michael Piranian, 62, with homicide, arson and assault with intent to murder in connection with the fire. They believe Piranian, who lived in the house, started the blaze because he was angry at his roommates, court documents show.

Piranian is in the Kent County jail. The Kent County Sheriff's Department handled the investigation, and officials there didn't return a call for comment.

Kingsley resident Carol Stocking's husband coached VanHulle in a summer softball league for several years. VanHulle was an "ace pitcher" with a determined approach to games, Stocking said.

"She was quiet, but she just glowed when she had a good inning, a good game," she said.

VanHulle was often shy, Stocking said, but known for her friendliness.

"She was just the nicest, sweetest girl," Stocking said. "There are so many people who are going to be devastated by this, so many people."

Stocking hopes VanHulle's family — who declined comment for this story — finds a way to get through the tragedy.

"I feel for the family," she said. "I can't even imagine what they've been going through."

Visitation for VanHulle will be held today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Covell Funeral Home in Kingsley. A funeral service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Kingsley Baptist Church on Blackman Road.

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