Submitted by: Margie Roop Pearce

South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana) Wednesday, June 11, 1969

PROBE DEATH IN HOME FIRE

     Raleigh Shannon, 75, of 919 W. Colfax Ave, died at 2:05 a.m. today in St Joseph’s Hospital where he was admitted shortly after 2 p.m. Monday with burns over 40 per cent of his body.  The death remains under investigation by St Joseph County Coroner Dr. Harry Ludwick and fire inspectors.  Fire Inspector Capt. Jack Bukowski said that according to relatives, Shannon had last been seen in a chair smoking a cigarette. Capt. Bukowski said a hole was burned in a carpet directly in from of the chair in which Shannon was seated.

    Shannon’s son, Larry E. Shannon, 19, of 226 Albert Ave, was treated in the hospital for minor burns he suffered when he was ripping clothing from his father in attempts to extinguish the flames. The younger Shannon and his wife were in the back yard when the victim ran to the door, his clothing in flames, yelling for help, they said.

No Other Evidence - Capt Bukowski said he found no evidence that the fire would have been caused by means other than a cigarette or cigarette lighter in Shannon’s hands. 

     Shannon was born June 4, 1895 in Fort Wayne and moved to South Bend 25 years ago from there. On April 2, 1946, in Columbia City, he married Genevieve Reasor, who survives. Also surviving are five sons, Samuel, Charles, Boyd and William, all of Fort Wayne, and Larry of South Bend; a stepson Eugene Lang of South Bend; two daughters, Mrs. Marjorie Axson and Mrs. Marie Dinvo, both of Fort Wayne; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Virginia Cossel of South Bend; three brothers Preston, Harry and Alton and a sister Mrs. Florence Johnson all of Fort Wayne.

     Friends may call after 7 p.m. Thursday in the Orvis Funeral Home where services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday with Rev. Carl A. Ricks, pastor of the Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be Southlawn Cemetery.