Farmers and neighbors in this tight-knit rural community were still in shock today from the accident that killed two members of the same family the day before, but said they’re ready to help in any way possible.

Whenever a tragedy hits a family, farmers pitch in, said Earl Williams, president of the Winnebago County Farm Bureau. He previously served with one of the victims, Michael Mitchell, 53, on the Farm Bureau board.

“He was a good guy,” Williams said. “You hate to lose good people.”

Mitchell entered a 12- to 15-foot-deep slurry pit — which holds animal waste and water — to fix a piece of equipment, but never came out.

One of his sons, Kyle, 20, went in after him, but he, too, was overcome by the toxic fumes. Another son, John, found his father and brother in the slurry and called 911.

The Mitchell farm, southwest of the village on Edwardsville Road, was quiet Tuesday afternoon, other than the cars carrying friends and family members who came to offer condolences and bring food.

“There has been a parade of cars all day,” said Marge Viel, a neighbor.

She and her husband, Roy, have lived next door to the Mitchells for 38 years, and Roy Viel has known the Mitchell family since 1946.

Neighbors will come together to help on the dairy farm when the ground dries up from the spring rains, Roy Viel said. At that point there will be hay to make, wheat to harvest and corn to chop.

“Everyone’s ready to respond and try to do some good and help,” he said. “When the weather’s ready, we’ll be ready.”

In past cases, several farmers have shown up with equipment to help harvest or plant, Williams said, an unwritten philosophy he called the “farmers creed.”

“You just do it, it’s the culture,” he said. “If there’s a farmer in need, you help him.”

Other farmers Tuesday agreed that this accident has forever changed things at the Mitchell farm.

“One deal like this, and that’s one too many,” Roy Viel said.

Staff writer Cathy Bayer can be reached at 815-987-1369 or cbayer@rrstar.com.