Funeral Plans ‘Too Much’ For Parents
From their hospital beds on Monday, Rob and Jill Schliebe tried to plan a funeral for their four young sons.
The couple mourned with relatives, who slowly sorted through suggestions on services and hymns, burials and prayers.
Talk of four little caskets, with a football inside each, proved too much for the Schliebe family, and the meeting with pastors from Shadle Park Presbyterian Church ended before a date could be set for the funeral.
“They’ve tried all day to get something together and they’re exhausted,” said Maggie Crabtree, a spokeswoman at Deaconess Medical Center. “It’s just too, too much.”
The Schliebes were injured while trying to save their children from a fire that destroyed the family’s north Spokane home early Saturday. The boys - Derek, 8; Loren, 6; Steven, 4; and Justin, 2 - died of smoke inhalation and burns in the two-story house at 1327 N. Adams.
Rob Schliebe, 29, broke his back and suffered burns on his face, head and hands. Jill Schliebe, 28, dislocated her hip, broke her knee and suffered cuts over her right eye.
Both were listed in stable condition at Deaconess on Monday.
The family lost virtually everything it owned in the fire, the city’s worst in 40 years. Investigators still are trying to determine its cause, and spoke briefly with Jill Schliebe on Monday afternoon.
But the interview was cut off because her heart rate started climbing when she answered the investigators’ questions, Spokane Fire Marshal Gary Miller said.
At Holmes Elementary School, where
Loren was a second-grader and Derek a third-grader, a series of meetings and counseling sessions were held before class.
Principal Brad Lundstrom said teachers at the school were notified over the weekend about the boys’ deaths, and as many parents as possible were contacted.
Monday was the start of Spirit Week at Holmes, where students participate in activities that promote school pride. Lundstrom said officials won’t call off Spirit Week, but will try “to keep things as normal as possible.”
He sent a letter home with each student describing the crisis and encouraging parents to call the school if they need help. A second letter was sent with students who shared classes with Derek or Loren.
Mike Schliebe, the children’s uncle, said his biggest concern now is seeing Rob and Jill get better.
“I’m just trying to focus on that right now,” Mike Schliebe said. “It’s all we have left.”
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Puppies need a home The Schliebe family is trying to find homes for nine puppies that survived the fire. The puppies are a Labrador-husky mix, about 6 weeks old and have been given their first shots. Anyone interested in adopting a puppy will be asked to donate $30 to the trust fund. Call the church at 327-5522. A trust fund has been set up to help pay for the Schliebes’ hospital bills, as the couple did not have medical or renters insurance. Donations are being accepted at Shadle Park Presbyterian Church, 5508 N. Alberta, Spokane 99208 or at any local U.S. Bank branch. Donations of furniture, clothes and other household items will be taken at the church every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday, the church will stay open for people to drop off goods from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.