Husband died rather than leave wife trapped in a fire

The fire swept quickly up to the upstairs bedrooms and as the fire crew made their way up to help, the floors started to collapse.

According to the couple's son, Andy Zerr, his dad was on the phone to dispatch while trying to assist his wife:

The husband and wife were both 84, and had been married 63 years. As their son Andy shared with KSDK/CNN: "My mom and dad were salt of the earth. They will be dearly missed. They were a pillar of the community."

The devout Catholics shared a deep faith, and their pastor Fr. Tom Miller from the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in New Melle, Missouri, visited them every Sunday so they could receive Communion.

Together in life, this wife and husband died as they had lived. The family will be no doubt be leaning on the elderly couple's inspirational life to help them in their grief.