contributor: Ron Renquin

Oconto County Reporter 
12 November 1964 Page 8, Col. 5 & 6

Former Ocontoan Dies In Milwaukee Apartment Fire

Funeral services were held in Oconto Tuesday morning for Miss Adeline Classon, 62, formerly of Oconto, who died Friday night in a two alarm fire which swept through the second floor Milwaukee apartment in which she and her brother-in-law lived. Donald Petrie, 67, was burned about the face and hands and was taken by ambulance to Milwaukee county emergency hospital. He was released the following day.

Seven other occupants of the three story apartment building were helped out of the structure by firemen. One woman, 64, was taken down a ladder by firemen who found her hanging out a window on the third floor when they arrived.

The cause of he blaze, which started in the living room of Miss Classon's apartment, was undetermined. Damage was estimated at $22,000 to the building and contents. She was found lying on the living room floor, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Petrie had returned to the apartment only a few minutes before the fire was discovered. He had entered through a back door, and had gone directly to his bedroom, but thought someone was burning refuse in a nearby incinerator. The first alarm was turned in at 10:53 p.m. The fire, which had spread rapidly through the apartment, was under control at 11:11 p.m.

Mr. Petrie and an occupant of the third floor apartment above heard Miss Classon yell: "Don, Don, there's a fire in here." Mr. Petrie called back: "Get out of there. I'll call the fire department." The phone in the Classon apartment was off the hook and the cord was melted. He was not sure whether or not he had called in the alarm.

He was partially overcome by intense heat and smoke when he opened a door to the living room and crawled on his hands and knees in and unsuccessful attempt to rescue Miss Classon.

Miss Classon was born in Oconto Dec. 11, 1901. She was graduated from Oconto high school, and was a graduate nurse. At the time of her death, she was employed by American Linen Supply Co., Milwaukee. Parish rosary services were held Monday night at the MacQueen funeral chapel and funeral services Tuesday morning at St. Joseph's Catholic church, the Rev. Robert Klein officiating. Burial in the family lot in Evergreen cemetery.

Surviving her are one brother, Edmund, Kewaunee, and a number of nephews and nieces. Relatives attending the final rites were Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Classon and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Classon, Kewaunee; Mrs. Marie Clason, Weyauwega; Mrs. Mary Keese and daughters Kathleen, Mary Margaret, and Judith, South Milwaukee. Out-of-town friends from Green Bay, Suamico, and Abrams also attended. Pallbearers were Grant Urquhart, Donald Holt, Arthur O'Neil, George Perdzock, Walter Marek and J. E. Housner.