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Submitted: 9/5/17 • Approved: 9/7/17 • Last Updated: 4/3/18 • R807074-G807074-S3
May 12, 1904 - August 15, 1973
Daughter of William Thomas & Mahala Ellen Gibson Riley
*Obituary
Springfield Leader-Press
Wednesday, August 5, 1973
Chair Smoulders
City Woman Died in Fire
A 68-year old Springfield woman was killed early today when the chair in which she was sitting caught fire in the living room of her home, firemen reported.
Fireman said the body of Mrs. Eula M. Kossen, 1020 East Division, was afire then they arrived shortly before 5 a.m.
Fire Insapector Dave Wilson said he found evidence that a lighted cigarette had been droped into the cushioned chair and had smouldered "quite some time."
"When a person sits in a chair and dozes like that, a slow smouldering fire throws off large amounts of carbon monoxide and will put them to sleep, " Wilson said.
"Usually they die before the fire gets to them."
Greene County Coroner Erwin Busiek and police also investigated at the scene, a one-story duplex apartment house owned by Mrs. Kossen.
The alarm was called in at 4:54 a.m. by Mrs. Mary DeWayne, 1012 East Division, who had been alerted by other neighbors.
Dewey Ward, who lives in the other apartment in the duplex, said he was awakened by someone knocking on his front door, and dashed outside, kicking in his neighbor's door to try to save her.
He was forced back by the thick smoke, and from the light of the flames could tell that the woman was already dead. His wife, Geneva, and their 3-year-old son, Dewey, Jr., hurried out their side of the duplex.
There was extensive fire damage to the living room and smoke damage in the remainder of the apartment. Ward said the smoke was beginning to seep into his family's apartment when he awakened.
Firemen from stations 2 and 4 were dispatched to the scene, and had returned to their stations by 6:27.
Mrs. Kossen's survivors include her brother, Russell Riley, 1022 East Division.
*Obituary
Springfield Leader-Press
Friday, August 17, 1973
MRS. EULA MAE KOSSEN
Graveside services for Mrs. Eula Mae Kossen, 69, of 1020 East Division , were held at 4:30 p.m. today at Greenlawn Cemetery with the Rev. Bert DeWiggins officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Greenlawn.
Mrs. Kossen died at 5 a.m. Wednesday in a fire at her home. She was a life-long resident of Springfield and a member of the Catholic Church .
Surviving are a brother, Russell Riley, of 1022 East Division; one sister, Mrs. Lillian Toler, of Chicago, Ill.; and two half-brothers, Clay and Charlie Truelove, both of Springfield.
Contributed on 9/5/17 by wfields55
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Record #: 807074