Erma Rae Bright (1935-1940)

BRIGHT, LUND, VLAHOS

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 5/28/2005 at 08:21:16

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, January 25, 1940, page 1, column 2. "ERMA RAE BRIGHT - Erma Rae Bright was born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bright Oct. 16, 1935, and departed this life Jan. 18, 1940, age 4 years, 3 months and 2 days. She leaves to mourn her untimely death, her mother, Mrs. Elaine Vlahos May, her father, Paul Bright, one brother, Richard, and one sister, Pauline; her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Bright, and Mrs. Fanny Lund; two uncles, Alvin Bright and Gus Vlahos; two cousins, Tommy Bright and Raymond Dean Vlahos, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 1:30 at the Dalstron funeral home with interment in Glendale cemetery. Our hearts were saddened when we heard of the tragic death by fire of little Erma Rae. We cannot understand why the Allwise** Creator, who placed this little flower with us would pluck it in such a short while, but we know He doeth** all things well and that she is sitting with the angels around the Great White Throne, awaiting our coming. Those attending the funeral from Maxwell were, Mrs. A. C. Enfield, Mr. T. S. Byers and Eva, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Jacobson and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Partridge." ." **Editorial note - spelling used is from the original newspaper article.

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, January 25, 1940, page 1, column 2. "GRANDDAUGHTER OF MRS. FANNY LUND FATALLY BURNED. - Fire Thursday afternoon, north of the Des Moines city limits destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred May, burning her 4 year old daughter fatally. Mrs. May is the former Elaine Vlahos, daughter of Mrs. Fanny Lund, formerly of Maxwell. Fire was started when May place crank case oil on the stove to heat and in removing it dropped the can causing an explosion and the whole room was thus a mass of flames. Fred May threw his thirteen month old nephew, Raymond Dean Vlahos, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Vlahos, who were visiting there, out of the window into a snow bank to safety, but Erma Rae became frightened and hid. While trying to rescue their daughter and niece, Mrs. May and Gus Vlahos were very badly burned. They were all taken to the hospital for treatments, Fred May and Mrs. Vlahos receiving less serious injuries. Mrs. May remains in a very serious condition and at present there is very little hopes of her recovery, according to reports from relatives. Mr. May was released from the hospital but later returned having taken cold."