Obit: Schwenn Bros., Karl & Christopher P.
Contact: Jean Zimmer

----Sources: Marshfield News-Herald

Fire victims teen brothers

Greenwood students well-liked, principal says

By Matt Ollwerther

TOWN OF MEAD - Two teenage brothers who died in an early Monday morning fire in Clark County played basketball on Greenwood teams and were well liked by other students, their principal said Tuesday.

Karl C. Schwenn, 15, and Christopher P. Schwenn, 13, who moved to the area three years ago, were killed in the blaze in the town of Mead that was reported around 2:41 a.m. Monday to Clark County authorities.

The mobile home was engulfed in flames when a neighbor called 911, said Clark County Chief Deputy Jim Backus. Authorities continued to examine the scene of the fire Tuesday to determine a possible cause. It remains undetermined, he said.

The fire that burned the home down to its frame isn't thought to be suspicious, he said.

Counselors were brought to Greenwood from its neighboring districts early Monday morning, said Dave Schaller, the seventh- to 12th-grade principal in the Greenwood School District.

"They're both good kids," Schaller said. "Both Karl and Christopher were well-liked by their classmates." They had a knack for keeping their classmates loose by being a bit like class clowns, Schaller said. Both of the boys played musical instruments.

Schaller said he knew Karl, a sophomore, better than Christopher, who was in seventh grade.

"He was Karl. He was someone who had a lot of friends because of who he is," Schaller said.

Both were involved in basketball, and the loss could be more devastating to other players because of the team atmosphere, Schaller said.

"Both students will be greatly missed by everyone involved," he said.

Clark County Coroner Richard Schleifer said the cause of death had not been established by Tuesday evening.

The pair had an older brother, Keith Schwenn, who is a senior in the Greenwood school district. He reportedly was not home when the fire started, authorities said.

The boys' mother now lives in Kentucky.

The brothers were born in Burlington and lived in the Kenosha area before moving to the Greenwood area in 2002. Christopher enjoyed hunting, fishing, the guitar and singing, while Karl liked soccer, flag football, libraries and computers. Both enjoyed reading.

Funeral services for the boys will be held on Saturday.

The Greenwood and Thorp fire departments responded the fire.

The Clark County Sheriff's Department and the Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation continue to investigate the case.