With the announcement from the Lehigh County Coroner March 19, the Emmaus community learned the names of the four fire victims and began the process of mourning.

Perished in the fire March 17 were Montana Twining, 16, Melissa A. Twining, 48, David Jenkins Jr., 65, and Lena Maria Adamo, 56.

Services were held for Montana, Melissa and Jenkins March 24 at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Emmaus.

Services for Adamo were held March 24 in Garfield, N.J.

Montana and Melissa lived on the third floor of the building at 36 South 5th St. in Emmaus. Jenkins lived at 16 South 10th St., Emmaus, but was visiting the Twinings at the time of the fire.

Montana, Melissa and Jenkins were a family according to everyone who knew them.

"I believe Melissa and David met at David's apartment house," Melissa's sister Robbyn Velasco said. "At one point, Melissa and Montana lived in the same building but moved out because it was too small for them."

Melissa and Montana moved into the building on South 5th St. in September 2012.

The three were active members at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit.

Senior Pastor Ric Elliott described the three.

Elliott said Montana was baptized and confirmed at the church and attended Sunday school and youth group. He was also an acolyte.

"Melissa was a member of a shawl knitting group and was involved in the children's activities at the church, providing parental support."

Elliott said the three could be found at church almost every Sunday walking to and from. However, on March 17 the three did not attend.

"I saw my sister 2 p.m. March 16 when she and Montana were visiting David. She was sick with a cold, following an illness Montana had for two weeks prior," Velasco said.

She speculated Melissa's sickness could be the reason the three were not in church that Sunday.

Montana, a student at Emmaus High School, also was attending Lehigh Carbon Technical Institute, taking a class on cars.

"He really liked taking the class and was talking a lot about it," Velasco said.

The East Penn School District issued a statement March 20 after the victims' names were released saying they were, "deeply saddened by the tragic apartment fire that occurred Sunday afternoon. The East Penn community is mourning the loss of Montana, his mother and the two other victims. The school district extends deepest sympathy to the Twining family at this difficult time."

The district representatives said grief counseling services were available for students and staff through the high school guidance department, district Flight Team and the district's school psychologists.

Velasco said Montana also enjoyed classes he took at Lehigh Valley Martial Arts. He took classes for almost a year and had earned his high yellow sash.

Program Director Lorraine Walters confirmed Montana was taking kung fu classes.

"Montana attended the last graduation ceremony March 8," Walters said. "On March 12, for buddy night at Lehigh Valley Martial Arts, students were allowed to bring a buddy. Montana brought his mom. He was very sweet and would often come early to help with some of the younger students."

Montana was also a member of Boy Scout Troop 70 which meets at St. John's Lutheran Church. Scoutmaster Shawn Baksa said Montana was "a good young man who was sweet and quiet."

He said Montana loved going camping when he could and helped with the cooking on those trips. "He earned Tenderfoot rank and earned badges. He would gather firewood and we would sit around the campfire on camping trips."

Preparing for his first camping trip, he realized he needed all the gear necessary for the trip.

"My husband, Wayne, gave Montana his Army duffle bag to use for his camping trip," Velasco said. "Montana loved it and carried it around. He really enjoyed camping with the Boy Scouts."

Velasco said Melissa loved to crochet. She gave many finished products as gifts.

She said they had a cat named Tabitha who lived at Jenkins' apartment.

"I trusted her 100 percent," Velasco said. "Melissa and Montana would come to my house and watch my three dogs and turtle."

Velasco said Melissa was very independent and could take a bus anywhere since she did not drive.

She said Jenkins and Montana enjoyed watching World Wrestling Entertainment together.

In addition to wrestling, Jenkins enjoyed country music according to his daughter Nancy.

Once a month, Montana would stay with Velasco and her husband and would spend time with the dogs and garden. During that time Melissa and Jenkins would go dancing at the firehouse.

A church member and friend of the family, who asked not to be named, described Melissa, Montana and Jenkins.

"They were loving, wonderful, giving, faithful, good people. They were active in our church. Melissa loved Montana more than her own life," she said.

She said they loved going to Dorney Park.

"Melissa, Montana and David were always together; they loved life and each other," she said.

Adamo had lived in the building with her partner Bobby Taylor for approximately eight years.

"We were together for 37 years," Taylor said. "She was a beautiful person inside and out."

Taylor said they met in Garfield, N.J. where he worked as a bouncer. They have been together ever since.

Taylor said Adamo was a homemaker. "She loved everyone," he said. "We loved our neighbors and we all got along."

The two enjoyed playing bingo and cards in Allentown and would go to various places by bus or cab.

"We really enjoyed playing cards and Maria loved knitting. She loved me, her family, my family and animals."

At a former apartment, they had cats but could not have animals where they lived in Emmaus. Taylor said if they ever got another apartment, he was going to make sure they could have pets.

Taylor, who has worked at McDonalds in Emmaus for eight years, said Adamo loved coming to McDonalds.

"She was my baby; we've been together a long time and it is very hard," Taylor said. "I think about her every minute of every day."

On the night before the fire, Taylor said they spent a quiet night at home. "I told her how much I loved her, I cooked a meal, we watched television and went to bed," he said.

"I would like to thank everyone for their help and blessings; I really appreciate it," Taylor said.

He also wanted to thank the person who pulled him out of the second floor window.

"I know God is taking care of her [Maria] so it relieves some of the pressure."