Du Quoin man identified as John Pavlak drowns at city lake; IDNR investigates

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources in concert with Du Quoin city police and the coroner's office are investigating the drowning of a 42-year-old Du Quoin man at Du Quoin City Lake Monday.

The victim is identified as John E. Pavlak.

Authorities say Pavlak was canoeing with a companion, Heather M. Woodcock, 32, of Du Quoin when the canoe capsized quite a distance from the shoreline. Woodcock made it back to shore. Pavlak did not and was taken to Marshall Browning Hospital and pronounced dead. The newspaper is waiting for more information from IDNR.