“My spouse used to joke that I had a behind so charming it could raise the dead. I’ve decided not to take any chances!”
Funny, isn’t it? If this brought a smile to your face, share the laughter with your loved ones on Facebook.
On a more somber note, tragedy struck the small Missouri town of Defiance when a house explosion claimed the lives of two young boys, Julian Keiser, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6.
Due to extreme weather, their school had canceled classes, leaving the brothers at home near Highway 94, just outside St. Louis. Early Friday morning, before rescuers could reach them, the fire consumed their home, taking the boys’ lives.
Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape the blaze. Neighbors and officials expressed their heartbreak over the loss.
“They were the sweetest little boys,” said neighbor Sharon Oberlag. “They thought school was the coolest thing ever, and they were so full of life.”
Firefighters arrived to find the house already engulfed in flames. “The fire made it impossible to locate the boys immediately,” explained New Melle Fire Protection District Chief Dan Casey. Smoke eaters attempted entry through a window, but the intensity of the fire hindered their efforts. The boys’ bodies were later recovered.
Oberlag recalled hearing a sound “like an explosion” from the residence. “Everyone ran to help,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking. We never imagined losing those two little boys.”
Nick and Travis, neighbors who also tried to save the boys, were overcome with grief. “They tried so hard, but the flames were too much,” Oberlag added.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion and fire.
The home was owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, which has been investing in the area to develop it into a premier wine destination. The company expressed its sorrow, stating, “Our hearts go out to the family who suffered this unimaginable loss. As a family-run business, we’re committed to supporting them during this difficult time.”
The boys’ mother, Evelyn Turpiano, owns the nearby Defiance RoadHouse bar and grill. Her mother, Jennifer Ham, had also managed the establishment for years.
Dan Tripp, a co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, launched a GoFundMe to support the family. As of Monday morning, over $145,000 had been raised. Both women are active members of the Defiance Merchants Association, a group dedicated to promoting the local wine industry.
“If you ever met Julian and Jamison at the RoadHouse, the Christmas Festival, or the St. Patrick’s Day parade, you’d never forget the joy they brought to everyone around them,” the fundraiser statement reads.
The family now faces the heartbreaking task of planning two funerals while grappling with the loss of their home and belongings. The GoFundMe appeal asks for prayers, emotional support, and financial contributions to help them through this devastating time.
Laura Emerson, a neighbor, placed a Christmas wreath on a water pump near the ruins of the house. She adorned it with two plush animals as a tribute to the boys.
“They were happy, smart, and deeply loved,” Emerson said. “This loss is unimaginable.”
