Clarkton prepares to say final 'farewell' to victims of house fire

CLARKTON, Mo. -- A mother has died from injuries she sustained in a house fire, just one day after her daughter succumbed to her injuries.

According to family members, Stephanie Studie, 40, of Clarkton, died Saturday morning.

Her daughter Hannah Weingartner, 14, died Friday morning, after the two were pulled from a house fire, Wednesday afternoon.

Clarkton Police and Clarkton Fire Department personnel responded to the 911 call. When they arrived on scene, the fire was fully involved and the home was filled with smoke.

"We were alerted that there were two people inside, a mother and daughter," said Police Chief Shawn Maddox.

Clarkton first responders quickly called out for mutual aid assistance from nearby departments.

Emergency crews from Clarkton, Malden and Gideon, with assistance from family members and neighbors, were able to cut a hole in the home with a chain saw, and gain access.

"We were able to cut a hole in the back of the trailer and had two fire personnel rush in and pull the mom and daughter out," Maddox said.

Both the mother and her daughter were taken to area hospitals and then, later, were airlifted to a hospital burn unit for treatment.

Family members said both, Studie and Weingartner, were organ donors.

"Their generosity will enable others to continue their lives," said family member, Dan Persfull.

Funeral services for the pair will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Portageville.

Memorial donations can be made to DeLisle Funeral home.