Final Victim Of Waukegan Explosion Identified, Memorial Planned

WAUKEGAN, IL — The identity of the fourth and youngest worker who died in an explosion that leveled a silicone plant in Waukegan was released Wednesday by his employer.

Daniel Niklas, 24, of Beach Park, was the final employee of AB Specialty Silicones to be found after last Friday's blast. He was a quality control chemist who had worked at the company for eight months, according to a statement from the company. His body was recovered late Tuesday.

Three Wisconsin men who died in the explosion had been previously identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office and the Lake County Coroner.

Jeff Cummings, 57, of Kenosha, was the production supervisor of the plan's third shift. he had spent seven years with the company, according to a statement from the company. An online fundraiser set up for his family described him as "a gentle soul who would give the shirt off his own back for someone else."

Byron Biehn, 53, of Union Grove, was the second shift production supervisor. He had worked at the company nine years and was one of its owners.

Allen Stevens, 29, Paddock Lake, was also an owner of the company. He worked for the company for two years and was chemical operator on its second shift. Rescuers took him and three others to area hospitals after surviving the initial blast, but Stevens later died at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. He was an "exceptional husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin," according to the fundraiser set up on behalf of his family.

The cause of the plant explosion remains under investigation, but authorities believe it was accidental. The Lake County Coroner's Office has not officially confirmed the last victim's identity pending further confirmation.

"We have lost our friends and colleagues, and know that their families have lost even more: fathers, grandfathers, husbands, sons, brothers," said AB Specialty Silicones General Manager Mac Penman. "Since last Friday, our focus has been finding ways to spend time with each other, grieve together and support each other."

A memorial service at the site of the Waukegan facility will be held at 10 a.m. Friday. It will honor the late employees and the first responders who arrived at this scene.

The company plans to reopen next Monday, but it will be closed periodically for employees to attend upcoming funeral services.

“The families have asked us to convey their wishes for privacy at this difficult time," Penman said in a statement released shortly after the body presumed to be Niklas was found, "but they join us in again expressing gratitude for the incredible efforts of the Waukegan Fire Department and Chief George Bridges Jr., and the Lake County Coroner’s Office and Dr. Howard Cooper.”

Earlier:

• All But 1 Worker Killed In Waukegan Explosion Identified, Search Continues
• 3 Dead In Waukegan Explosion, 1 Worker Still Missing