Community mourns those who died in Ellsworth Township house explosion

The home at 8521 Huxley Rd. is completely gone two days after a deadly house explosion. Four people inside died, two of them were husband and wife Jeff and Joann Kocanyar.

The owner of Quaker City Motorsports Park in Salem, Aj Fox said Jeff left his mark at the park over the past 14 years and his memory will live on.

"[Jeff] was always just a nice guy. He's just one of the friendliest guys you could ever ask to know." Fox said. 

The same sentiments are shared about his wife Joann. For 20 years, she worked at Rulli Brothers. On the store's Facebook page, more than a thousand people commented to talk about how she brightened their days. 

Joann is remembered by those closest to her as someone who treated everyone like family.  

Mark Rulli provided 21 News with a statement on behalf of the company below:

"We will deeply miss her as a colleague and a friend. She was someone who brought happiness to others, and we will always cherish our memories of her.
Our deepest condolences to her family during this difficult time."

Community members told 21 News the community won't be the same without the Kocanyars.