Mrs. J. W. May, about 75, died as a result of suffocation Wednesday, and her husband about 70, was in a serious condition at Benedictine Heights Hospital after a mysterious fire in their home at 506 West Logan.
Firemen, who extinguished the blaze, were at a loss to determine how it started, but unofficial reports were that a gas stove explosion caused it.
Mrs. May was discovered on the floor near the stove, which was in the living room, and her husband lay slumped against the front door.
Fire Chief Ed Nelson said that evidently May was trying to get out of the house when he too was overcome by fumes.
May, who was rushed to the hospital in a David Funeral Home ambulance, was in no condition to answer questions.
Firemen were summoned by neighbors after a dense cloud of smoke was discovered rolling from the house, at about 2 p.m.
Damage to the house was estimated at several hundred dollars.
The condition of John May, aged pensioner, was described as "critical" by Benedictine Heights Hospital authorities Thursday. May suffered shock and was overcome by heat and smoke during a fire in his West Logan street home Wednesday afternoon. His wife, Mary, died Wednesday from fumes of the fire.
May's legs also were burned but the burns did not contribute greatly to his shock condition.
John May, 76, died Saturday in Benedictine Heights Hospital here of injuries suffered in a fire last Wednesday afternoon at his home, 506 W. Logan.
His wife, Mrs. Mary May, 81, was also a victim of the fire, with death begin attributed to suffocation. Her body was found by firemen near a stove in the living room after they had extinguished the flames sufficiently to enter the house.
May, overcome by heat and smoke, was found near the front door, and rushed to the hospital.
The aged couple were the only occupants of the home, and firemen said origin of the blaze was undetermined.
Double funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. May will be held at 2 p. m. Monday in the Davis Funeral Home chapel.
Rev. W. C. Drain, Assembly of God Church pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Cashion Cemetery.
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