The man who died in a plane crash near Madison built riverboats, including a well-known vessel in the Coulee Region

Dennis Trone built the Julia Belle Swain.

It's used in tours of the Mississippi River from La Crosse.

The boat has also been featured in books and films.

The 77-year old Illinois man died Monday.

His plane crashed after taking off from the Brodhead Airport near Madison.

Funeral arrangements are pending in Rushville, Illinois.