Funeral arrangements set for 99-year-old woman killed in house f - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Funeral arrangements set for 99-year-old woman killed in house fire

Posted: Updated:
Christy Hendricks - bio | email
Dorothy Marie Linn (Source: Jeanine Linn) Dorothy Marie Linn (Source: Jeanine Linn)
(Source: KFVS photojournalist Mike Mohundro) (Source: KFVS photojournalist Mike Mohundro)
(Source: KFVS photojournalist Mike Mohundro) (Source: KFVS photojournalist Mike Mohundro)
Casper says wind was a factor in fueling the fire. Casper says wind was a factor in fueling the fire.
BENTON, IL (KFVS) -

Funeral arrangements have been announced for a 99-year-old woman died in a house fire in Benton, Illinois Wednesday. The fire happened on Linn Road just south of Benton city limits.

Dorothy Marie Linn, 99, of 11566 Linn Road in Benton was found on the kitchen floor of the home. She was the only one home at the time.

According Morton and Johnson Funeral Home, services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23, in Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. Burton Wills officiating. Burial will be in Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after noon Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mrs. Linn's name may be made to North Benton Baptist Church.

A neighbor who saw smoke coming from the home called 911 at 8:48 a.m. Wednesday.

Benton Fire Chief Gary Casper says West City firefighters were the first to arrive on scene and found heavy smoke on the second floor.

Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler said that a blood sample was drawn and the Franklin Hospital Lab performed carbon monoxide testing on the sample. Results came back positive for a lethal range of carbon monoxide. X-rays were performed and a forensic pathologist was consulted. Leffler says the cause of death is from asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation from the fire.

"She definitely will be remembered by many people," said Jeanine Linn, a sister-in-law of the victim. "She was a member of the Baptist Church of Benton . She was just a kind person. She will be missed."

Casper says wind was a factor in fueling the fire. Franklin County Sheriff deputies along with Benton and West City Fire departments initially responded with mutual aide arriving from West Frankfort, Sesser, Buckner, Christopher and Coello Fire Departments.

The home is a total loss.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office.

Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.