Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Longdyke, Richard Ray & Portia Ann February 15, 1955 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net August 7, 2021, 3:42 pm Ionia Sentinel Standard-February, 1955 CHILDREN DIE One Dead in Flaming House Burns Fatal to Second of Richard Longdyke's Tots A three year-old Ionia boy and his one-year old sister, died of burns from a tragic house fire Tuesday night that virtually destroyed the Richard Longdyke residence at 150 Adams street. Dead are Raymond R. and Portia Ann Longdyke who were trapped in cribs on second floor bedrooms amid a mass of flames that engulfed the upper portion of the house. The Longdyke boy succumbed in his crib, but Portia Ann was rescued from the dwelling alive by Fireman Frank Beckhorn, but only after firefighters fought the flames for nearly an hour before battling their way to the second floor and rescuing her from her crib. The tiny girl died at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's hospital in Grand Rapids after Ionia County Memorial Hospital physician fought to save her life until 1 a.m., when she was transferred. Dim hopes had been held for her recovery. About 75 per cent of her body was burned. Cause Not Known Cause of the disastrous fire is unknown. It is believed to have started on the second floor. Longdyke, 28, an employee of the Peschke Packing Co, tried in vain to save his son. He was reported by Ronald Miller, 34, of 158 Adams, a brother-in- law, to have said "I heard Ray scream. I tried to get to him, but I couldn't. Miller said Longdyke rushed into the boy's bedroom but flames forced him to a window and he was forced to jump to the ground. Longdyke suffered a foot injury and burns of the face, hands, and body. His wife, Esther, 24, was more seriously injured, suffering burns of the arms, shoulder and back. Witnesses reported the terror stricken mother screamed "Get my kids, get my kids." She was carried out of the house by two neighbors and rushed to the hospital. Both parents were reported in fair condition at Ionia Hospital. Mr. Longdyke was reported as suffered facial burns and also from shock. Mrs. Longdyke is said to have second and third degree burns and also shock. Boy Was Dead The boy was snatched from his bed by Fire Chief Harlan V. Eggleston, but the child was dead from burns and suffocation. His body was removed to Myers funeral home. Miller spread the alarm at 12:20 a.m. calling Ionia firefighters after observing the mass of flames from his dwelling two doors away. He said the grief-stricken father told him he was awakened by his son's screams. The child's agonized yells alerted the parents. Longdyke, owner of the five-room house, called for his brother-in-law's aid from the boy's window. Miller sad. "I can't get to them (the children)." Longdyke shouted. He was silhouetted in the window by the sheet of flame. Miller said he and fireman Len Bright were forced from the stairway by flames in a vain rescue attempt. Firemen sprayed streams of water on the upper steps for nearly an hour quelling the blaze before they could rescue Portia. Nurses at ionia Hospital said "the infant's clothing hung in shreds on her body" Nurses said that hardly a portion of her body was not burned. They described the injuries as third-degree burns. "If she lives it's a miracle," an attending physician said. Miller said doctors told him the child was not expected to live. Mrs. Myrtle Bowen, 26, of 170 Adams, Longdyke's sister, said the first thing she noticed was flames bursting out of upper floor windows. Flames shot high in the air and portion of the ceiling caved in. Damage was still undetermined but it was thought by firemen the loss to dwelling and possessions might total $5,000. All clothing and nearly every household article was destroyed by flames or severely damaged by fire. Miller said neighbors managed to save two buffets and a television. RICHARD RAY AND PORTIA ANN LONGDYKE Funeral services for Richard Ray and Portia Ann Longdyke, children of Mr and Mrs Richard Longdyke, who lost their lives in a fire which partially destroyed their home at 150 Adams street Tuesday night, February 15, were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Myers funeral home. The Rev. George L. Rentachler conducted the services. Interment was at Danby cemetery. Pallbearers were Charles Ruse, James Kimball and Cecil Kimball of Grand Rapids and Gaylord Troxel of Ionia. Mrs Longdyke who has been confined to the Ionia County Memorial Hospital as the result of burns and shock was released temporarily to attend the services and was re-admitted Tuesday after the funeral. Additional Comments: Danby Cem-#Sec.4A-27S File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/l/longdyke40709nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb