New Era, Michigan — The community of Oceana County is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of Cindy Lewis, the 56-year-old co-owner of Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo, who died following an accident on the park’s property over the holiday weekend.
The incident occurred early Friday morning, July 4, just before 8 a.m., at the popular family destination located along M-20 in New Era. According to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis was struck by a vehicle driven by a 61-year-old female employee as she entered the property during off-hours. Investigators say the employee did not see Lewis in the parking lot prior to the collision.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene to find Lewis trapped beneath the vehicle. She was quickly extricated and transported to a hospital in Muskegon before being airlifted to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Despite the efforts of medical teams, Lewis succumbed to her injuries on Sunday, July 6.
The Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the case to determine if any charges will be filed in connection with the accident.
News of Lewis’s passing has sent shockwaves throughout the local community and beyond. Known for her unwavering commitment to her family, her farm, and her neighbors, Cindy Lewis was much more than a business owner—she was a beloved community leader, mentor, and friend.
In a heartfelt message shared on the farm’s social media page, the Lewis Adventure Farm team wrote:
“Cindy was not only a cherished leader of Lewis Farms, but also a devoted wife, mother, and friend to so many in our community. Her sudden loss is devastating beyond words.”
Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast also offered his condolences, highlighting Lewis’s vital role in the region:
“Mrs. Lewis was a positive, energetic pillar of our community, integral in the continued growth and development of the family business. We extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Lewis family.”
Under Cindy’s leadership, Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo blossomed from a small, family-run operation into one of Michigan’s most beloved seasonal destinations, welcoming thousands of families each year. From orchard tours to petting zoos and pumpkin patches, the farm became synonymous with wholesome fun and heartfelt hospitality—values that Cindy championed in everything she did.
Those who knew her say she was a woman of grace, joy, and relentless generosity. Her warmth was not only felt by customers who visited the farm but by employees, volunteers, and vendors who considered her a true beacon of kindness and professionalism.
The Lewis family says Cindy’s legacy will live on through the continued operation of the farm and the values she embodied:
“We ask that her memory be honored by treating one another with the same kindness, grace, and dignity that she so effortlessly shared with the world.”
Funeral arrangements and memorial service details will be announced in the coming days.
As the New Era community begins to process this immense loss, one thing remains certain: Cindy Lewis’s impact will be remembered for generations to come—not just through the farm she helped grow, but through the lives she touched along the way.