CHRISTIAN, Teresa: Died 1985

CHRISTIAN, CECIL, PALMER, HALES, JUMES

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/18/2022 at 12:10:09

**VB Reg 5 Sep 1985 p. 1

Woman found shot; arson razes home

A Bonaparte woman was shot and her house burned down early Tuesday morning and the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department and the State Fire Marshall's office are investigating.

Teresa Christian was found by members of the Bonaparte Volunteer Fire Department around 5 a.m. in a cornfield near town.

She was taken to Van Buren County Memorial Hospital and treated as an outpatient before being transferred to University Hospitals in Iowa City by Air Care helicopter.

A hospital spokeswoman described Christian's condition as "serious" Wednesday morning.

Charles Warner, a next-door neighbor to Christian, called firefighters after he was awakended by an explosion at about 2:45 a.m., according to a news release from the sheriffs office. Tuesday, the Fire Marshall's office confirmed the blaze as arson.

Jack Saunders, Bonaparte fire chief, said Tuesday afternoon that about 15 firefighters responded the Christian home "engulfed and completely destroyed."

Saunders said Christian's car was parked in the driveway and suitcases were inside. The driver's side door was open, he said.

Fire department members searched the area and "one of the firemen heard a groan so he walked around a little further and then he found her," Saunders said.

An unconfirmed report said a .22-caliber rifle which had been loaded with birdshot was found near Christian.

Roy Marshall, director of the Sate Fire Marshall's Arson and Explosives Bureau, said Tuesday afternoon arson was determined after "the presence of what appears to be excellerants" was found.

Mike Hiles, a special agent with the Marshall's office in Mt. Pleasant is continuing an investigation of the fire.

A report will be completed in two to four weeks, Marshall said.

Sheriff Hugh Hardin was not available for comment Tuesday.
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**Handwritten: L.R. 12 Sep 1985 p. 2

TERESA CHRISTIAN

Teresa Linn Christian, 29, of Bonaparte, died at 6:35 am. Sunday, September 8, 1985 at the University of Iowa Hospitals.

She was born April 15, 1956, the daughter of Richard L. and Evelyn Cecil Christian.

She had been employed as head inspector at Riverside Plastics in Bonaparte.

Survivors include her parents; brothers Rick of Kahoka, Steve of Revere and Jim of Memphis, Tennessee; sisters Vhonda Palmer, Rhonda Hales of Wyaconda, Kathy Humes of Luray, and Kim Christian of Revere; grandmother Lora Christian of Kahoka; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents and a paternal grandfather.

Services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 11, 1985 at Shaffer and Sons Memorial Chapel in Kahoka. Burial was in the Anson Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Children's Section of the Kahoka Library.

Source: "Scrapbook 1981 - 1985", Pg. 259,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA