Mack, Cletus E. 1912-1966

MACK, CAUGHLIN, COUGHLIN, KELLEHER

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 11/15/2016 at 15:03:13

Cletus Mack, 53, died in a fire that destroyed the home in which he lived in Freeburg, MN, early Tuesday morning (01 Feb.) of last week. All contents were also destroyed in the two-story home in which Mack lived alone.

Cause of the fire was not determined, although some thought that he may have fallen asleep while smoking. The home was heated by an oil burning space heater, but those investigating the fire did not believe that faulty heating had anything to do with the fire.

Carmen, 18-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Hayes, close neighbors, was awakened by light from the flames which were leaping from the windows. She awakened her father who went outside to see if he could do anything. Mrs. Hayes called Sheriff Byron Whitehouse at 3:40 a.m. When the sheriff reached the scene shortly after the arrival pf the Caledonia Fire Department at 4:10 a.m., the frame house was in ruins.

The remains of the victim were found under debris in the downstairs bedroom, where neighbors said he was in the habit of sleeping. He was burned beyond recognition except that his familiar wristwatch was still on his arm, and remnants of the clothing he had worn earlier at the Little Miamai Tavern in Freeburg during a card game were still intact.

Flames were so intense that they cracked windows in the Hayes home, and caused a fire on the roof. The two houses were side by side on the east end of town.

Mack was born Feb. 11, 1912, in the New Albin area to Daniel and Anna (Caughlin) Mack. He moved to Freeburg with his parents.

He was employed by Nelson Construction Co., Caledonia, MN, and was a veteran of World War II.

Survivors are four brothers, Clarence of Caledonia, Maurice of Rochester, MN, Earl of New Albin, and Norbert of Waukegan, IL; and one sister, Mrs. Merle Kelleher of Lansing.

Funeral services were held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Steffen Funeral Home, Caledonia, and at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Freeburg, the Rev. Thaddeus Derezinski officiating.

Source: Newspaper Clipping, Hand-Dated 1966.