Obituary

Gas Fumes Claim Lives of Two Here

Art and Janet Tanner Victims of Tragedy

Joint Funeral Rites Conducted Tuesday

Tragedy struck in this community last weekend, when a popular young married couple lost their lives by accidental asphyxiation.

The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tanner were found about 6 a.m. Saturday in the bathroom of their second-story apartment in the tavern building opposite the Elizabeth Post Office.

Their deaths are believed to have occurred sometime after midnight Friday night, as Arthur Tanner, known to a host of friends as "Artie," had worked until midnight Friday night. It is presumed that he was preparing to take a bath and was overcome by gas fumes from an unvented hot water heater in the room, and that his lovely wife, the former Janet Jean Hanna, apparently went to see about him, tried to arouse him, and was also overcome by the poison fumes as she knelt by his side.

Their bodies were found by Jim Shelton, who maintained a sleeping room in the apartment, and who was awakened by the crying of the Tanner's 11-months-old son, Craig Anthony, in an adjoining bedroom, who was unharmed. The bathroom door was closed, likely preventing the poison fumes from spreading to the rest of the apartment.

Artie was employed and part-manager of the tavern business, owned by his mother, a position he held temporarily since returning here last year after a few months employment in Florida & Texas. His wife was not connected with any part of the tavern business, although they maintained their living quarters in the upstairs apartment.

State Police Trooper Foster Wilkerson, Town Sgt. Virgil Snider and Sheriff C.B. Carpenter conducted the investigation, and Dr. Robert W. Coplin, City, coroner, termed the deaths due to accidental asphyxiation.

Arthur Tanner was born at Curtisville, Pa., October 24, 1938, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard S. Tanner, who survive. He was a member of the American legion, a member of the newly organized Wirt County Jaycees, and a member of Palestine Council No. 33, Jr.O.U.A.M. He had served four years with distinction in the U.S. Marine Corps. He had previously attended Wirt County High School and had completed his education while in the Marine service.

Survivors in addition to his parents and the infant son, Craig Anthony, include a brother, Danny Tanner, City; and his grandfather, S.T. ("Did") Tanner, Rt. 3, Palestine.

Janet Jean Hanna Tanner, 21, was born April 4, 1939, in Wirt County, a daughter of Charles C. and Bessie Smith Hanna, of Rt. 3, Palestine. She was a graduate of Wirt County High School, and an especially active member of the Hill Grove Baptist Church, regularly returning there each Sunday from Elizabeth to lead and sing with the Church's youth choir.

Survivors include her parents; the son, Craig Anthony; four brothers, Clayborn J. Hanna, City, Charles G. Hanna, Parkersburg, James V. Hanna, a Marshall College student at Huntington, and William H. Hanna, Rt. 3, Palestine; five sisters, Mrs. Virginia Criner, Belleville, Ill., Mrs. Betty Baldridge, Pittsburgh, Mrs. Mary Collins, Rt. 3, Palestine, Mrs. Lois Sheppard of Parkersburg, and Sharon Lou Hanna, Rt. 3, Palestine.

An infant son, Bruce Allen, preceded them in death.

Joint funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Hill Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Vairl C. Winter, City officiating, and interment was in the Hill Grove cemetery. The Parkersburg Post of the American Legion conducted military services at the graveside. Pomroy Funeral Home, City, was in charge of arrangements.