The small town of Defiance, Missouri, is reeling in shock and grief after a devastating house explosion claimed the lives of two young brothers, Julian Keiser, 4, and Jamison Keiser, 6. The tragedy has left the community in mourning, and a fundraising campaign has been set up to support the family.
The explosion occurred on a Friday morning, and despite the best efforts of the firefighters, the boys were unable to be saved. Their mother, Evelyn Turpiano, and their grandparents, Jennifer and Vern Ham, managed to escape the fire, but the boys were trapped inside.
The community has come together to pay tribute to the two young brothers, who were known for their love of learning and their enthusiasm for life. Neighbor Sharon Oberlag remembered them as “the nicest little boys” who thought school was “the coolest thing ever.” Their passion for learning and their excitement about school were infectious, and they brought joy to everyone around them.
The owner of the house where the explosion occurred, the Hoffmann Family of Companies, has expressed their deepest condolences to the family. A statement released by the company said, “Our hearts are with the member of our team and their family who lost their children and grandchildren.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support the family, and it has already raised over $145,000. The campaign was started by Dan Tripp, co-owner of Good News Brewing in Defiance, who wanted to help the family cover the costs of the funeral and recover from the loss of their home.
As the community comes together to support the family, they are also remembering the two young brothers who brought so much joy and enthusiasm to their lives. Neighbor Laura Emerson hung a Christmas wreath on the house that was still standing after the blast, and she shared some touching memories of the boys. “Those boys seemed so happy,” she said. “They had brilliant minds. They had a joyful time. Love was shown to them.”
The tragic loss of Julian and Jamison has left a profound void in the town, but their memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew them. They will be remembered for their love of learning, their enthusiasm for life, and the joy they brought to everyone around them
