| IN HONOR OF OUR FALLEN HEROES |
| THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FIRE AND EMS SERVICE THAT HAVE PASSED OVER THE YEARS. MAY THEY NOT BE FORGOTTEN.................... |
| Brother and Sister when you weep for me Remember that it was meant to be Lay me down and when you leave Remember I'll be at you sleeve In every dark and choking hall I'll be there as you slowly crawl On every roof in driving snow I'll hold your coat and you will know In cellars hot with searing heat At windows where a gate you meet In closets where young children hide You know I'll be there at your side The house from which I now respond Is overstaffed with heroes gone Men and women who answered one last bell Did the job and did it well As firefighters we understand That deaths a card dealt in our hand A card we hope we never play But one we hold there anyway That card is something we ignore As we crawl across a weakened floor For we know that we're the only prayer For anyone that might be there So remember as you wipe your tears The joy I knew throughout the years |
| I would like to dedicate a list below to honor those men and women that have fallen over the years. I am asking your help in providing names, title, dept. and the year they passed on. You can provide this information by sending me an E-mail at kblee@ptd.net Thank You And Take Care !! |
| IN HONOR OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT HAVE PASSED ON OVER THE YEARS. |
Allen "Lumpy" Kramer - On October 31st, 2006'. At approx. 1600 hours, Past Chief of the Washington Fire and Hose Company, Active Firefighter, Rescue Instructor and Montour County 911 dispatcher, Allen "Lumpy" Kramer passed away at his residence in Danville. His death was sudden and unexpected. He will be sadly missed by all. Danville, PA..........................2006' Raymond J.Siko Sr. - EMT / Firefighter ( Retired )Ray was an active member of the Kulpmont Community Ambulance and Kulmont Fire Department. He had served as EMS Chief and EMS Coordinator and was a well known instructor throughtout the surrounding areas. Ray died unexpectedly on October 16, 2004 at Shamokin Area Community Hospital.............2004' Alfred "Babe" Politza - On January 11, 2004' At approx. 1800 hours, Retired Chief of Department, Alfred "Babe" Politza passed away at Shamokin Area Community Hospital. His death was sudden and unexpected. He will be sadly missed by all. Kulpmont, PA........................2004' MIchael Crone - EMT/Firefighter / Police Officer - Michael passed away on February 4th, 2003 as the result of a Motor Vehicle Accident. Michael was very active in EMS, He worked full time for Greater Columbia Medical Transport, was Chief Driver for Bloomsburg Ambulance and worked Part Time as a Police Officer for Scott Township P.D.................2003' Jim Kline - Paramedic - Jim passed in early June from a long term illness. He worked many years with Bloomsburg Hopsital-Medic One and with Knoebels Grove First Aid Station. He was involved in EMS instruction through the Susquehanna Emergency Health Services Council. He will be sadly missed by all........................2002 ' Richard A. Joe,Past Chief - Past Chief of the West Branch Vol. Fire Dept. Watsontown PA, Northumberland County 911 Center, Sunbury PA. Richard A. Joe passed away at his residence. His death was sudden and unexpected. Rick you will be sadly missed by all.............2000' David Kirk,Captain/F.F.-Paramedic - Goodwill Vol. Fire Dept. Danville PA / Sunbury Comm. Hospital Medic 49, Sunbury PA, Danville Ambulance, Danville PA.. David "Kirky" Kirk passed away while in the hospital after a lengthy illness. Kirky you will be sadly missed by all...........1999' William Wallish, F.F. - Friendship Fire Department, Shamokin PA........................ Arthur Rodman, Past Chief - Shamokin Bureau Of Fire, Shamokin PA / Friendship Fire Dept, Shamokin PA ................... Richard Hauck, F.F. - West Branch Vol. Fire Dept. Watsontown PA..................... Dave Womer, F.F. - Mt. Carmel Rescue Squad, Mt. Carmel PA .................................................... Mark Miller,Paramedic - Mount Carmel Area Ambulance, Mount Carmel PA..................... John Taffner,EMT - Mount Carmel Area Ambulance, Mount Carmel PA.................... William Huntington - One of the original founders, Famous for running the Danville Ambulance "Baby Buggy". Danville Ambulance Service, Danville PA...............1998 |
| ...........You will not be forgotten ........... |
| ELYSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBER MEMORIAL |
| Kevin Pilkus -1st Lieut. 1980,1998 Died at age 33 on 6-14-98 while off duty. Kevin was the Liberty's 1st Lieut. and the Shamokin Fire Bureau's Vice President at the time of his death from Lukemia. Over 1,000 people attended Kevins viewing with multiple engines attending the funeral from around the area to pay their last respect. His brother Captain Ken Pilkus and Kevins family would like to thank all for their support in this time of need. Firefighters from the Liberty still honor Kevin by wearing Kevins initials on their helmets, along with the dedication of our Firefighter Of The Year Award in Kevins memory. William Leiby - Fire Police Captain / E.F.D. .................................. |
| IN REMEMBERANCE AND HONOR OF OTHERS FROM AROUND THE AREA |
Tim DiOrio - Lieutenant of the Main Fire Department. Died at age 36 on 10-31-02 while fighting a structure fire in
Trevorton. Tim was caught in a collapse of the structure. Tim worked as a Pennsylvania State Trooper with the Selinsgrove
Barracks. He was also a member of the Elysburg Fire Department. Tim is survived by his wife of 10 years, Tracy, His
parents, a brother and 3 dogs.
Trevorton. Tim was caught in a collapse of the structure. Tim worked as a Pennsylvania State Trooper with the Selinsgrove
Barracks. He was also a member of the Elysburg Fire Department. Tim is survived by his wife of 10 years, Tracy, His
parents, a brother and 3 dogs.
| Members of the Main Fire Department |
| Standby Fire Departments and the public line up to honor Tim DiOrio as the funeral procession passes. |
| Approx 1500 people from around the state attended the ceromony for Tim DiOrio. |
| Carl "Doc" Poust, Paramedic died on September 28th 2007 after being involved in a vehicle accident.. He is survived by his wife and 2 young daughters. Doc is a great loss to the EMS service. He was a caring, dedicated, compassionate man who loved spending time with his family, was very dedicated to the EMS field and had a goal to make people laugh. He was our comedian in EMS. As quoted by many...."If you didn't laugh when Doc was around, you were sick" He was a member of the band Plum Crazy. He was an active volunteer with the Benton, Millville and Unityville Fire Depts. Along with being a Supervisor at the Berwick Ambulance, he also worked part time with Greater Columbia EMS. There were not many in the area that did not know or know of Doc. The only thing that can ease our mind is that God wanted some entertainment and another angel in heaven to watch over the rest of us. It is a great loss to the EMS family. A memorial fund has been set up for Docs family. You can send donations to : C/O Berwick Ambulance 2018 North Vine Street Berwick, PA 18603 Rest in Peace Doc, We Love and Miss you !!!! |
| Cliff "Fire Dog", "The Big Red Dog", Paramedic / FF died at the Hershey Medical Center on September 7th, 2008 after a mishap while working on his truck that afternoon in Port Trevorton. He resided in Liverpool PA. He was a past paramedic with Sunbury Hospital, Americus / AREA Services and the Elysburg Fire Dept. He had moved to the Liverpool area after accepting a paramedic position with Life Team EMS. He is survived by his parents, his sister, his girlfriend and his young daughter. Cliff is a great loss to the EMS and Fire Service. He was a very caring, very mellow individual who lived life one day at a time. He loved spending time with his daughter, working on his truck and having a good time with friends and family. He was very dedicated and knowledgeable in his field. He will be sadly missed by many. It is a great loss to the EMS family. Rest in Peace Cliff, We Love and Miss You !! |
Ronald Balchunas,
Elysburg Fire Dept. /Chief 171
Company Treasurer
EMS Committee Chairman
Ron Balchunas died on 10-6-08 after a long battle with illness. He was admitted at the University of
Pennsylvania in Philadelphia at the time of his passing. Ron was a life member of the EFD and was
active as Chief 171 and the Company Treasurer as well as being dedicated to calls and Bingo every
Sunday. He also served at EMS Committee Chairman, overseeing the paid EMS of the Company.
Ron worked full time as a Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor for the State Dept. of Conservation and
Natural Resources on Airport Road, Ralpho Township. Ron was an Instructor that taught Incident
Command Courses for the National Fire Academy. He belonged to the order of the Arrow. He was
also very involved with the Boy Scouts of America and was on the camping committee.
Ron was a Life Member of the West End Fire Co. in Kulpmont.
He is survived by: His wife Lillian, His mother Elenaor, 2 Sons - Brian and Craig, 1 Daughter in
Law, Jill Hower, 2 Daughters - Jessica and Crystal, A Son in Law Phillip, 9 Grandchildren - Chloye,
Gavin, Austyn, Phillip, Courtney, Allyson, Devan, Tyler and Brock. A Brother and Sister in Law -
William and Melanie.
Ron will not only be greatly missed by his family but also by his brothers and
sisters of the EFD, surrounding area Fire Depts, Amb. Services, The Forestry
Dept., the National Fire Academy, the Boy Scouts organization and his
community.
REST IN PEACE RONNIE !
Elysburg Fire Dept. /Chief 171
Company Treasurer
EMS Committee Chairman
Ron Balchunas died on 10-6-08 after a long battle with illness. He was admitted at the University of
Pennsylvania in Philadelphia at the time of his passing. Ron was a life member of the EFD and was
active as Chief 171 and the Company Treasurer as well as being dedicated to calls and Bingo every
Sunday. He also served at EMS Committee Chairman, overseeing the paid EMS of the Company.
Ron worked full time as a Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor for the State Dept. of Conservation and
Natural Resources on Airport Road, Ralpho Township. Ron was an Instructor that taught Incident
Command Courses for the National Fire Academy. He belonged to the order of the Arrow. He was
also very involved with the Boy Scouts of America and was on the camping committee.
Ron was a Life Member of the West End Fire Co. in Kulpmont.
He is survived by: His wife Lillian, His mother Elenaor, 2 Sons - Brian and Craig, 1 Daughter in
Law, Jill Hower, 2 Daughters - Jessica and Crystal, A Son in Law Phillip, 9 Grandchildren - Chloye,
Gavin, Austyn, Phillip, Courtney, Allyson, Devan, Tyler and Brock. A Brother and Sister in Law -
William and Melanie.
Ron will not only be greatly missed by his family but also by his brothers and
sisters of the EFD, surrounding area Fire Depts, Amb. Services, The Forestry
Dept., the National Fire Academy, the Boy Scouts organization and his
community.
REST IN PEACE RONNIE !
| Anthony E. "Tony" Koppen, 37, of 2588 Hallowing Run Road, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after suddenly being stricken ill at his home. He was born Feb. 1, 1971, in Sunbury, a son of Theodore and Joyce (Fitzpatrick) Koppen of Trevorton. He was a resident of RR Sunbury since 1992. On Oct. 24, 1992, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Milton, he married the former Jennifer S. Caicco, who survives. Tony was a 1989 graduate of Line Mountain High School and a 1999 graduate of the Luzerne County Community College paramedic program. He was employed as a paramedic in the OR for Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center from 1998 to the present and with AREA Ambulance Service from 1990 to the present. Tony was affiliated with the Trevorton Fire Company, Americus Hose Company, Sunbury, and Sunbury Community Hospital. He coached AYSO soccer and was a former commissioner of the Norry/Sunbury AYSO League and also had coached the ASA girls softball team of Sunbury. In addition to his wife, Jennifer and parents, he is survived by two daughters, Kylie and Kelsey Koppen, at home; his grandmother, Mary Fitzpatrick of Northumberland; one brother and sister-in-law, Theodore and Michelle Koppen of Northumberland; one sister, Colleen Koppen of Trevorton; his father and mother-in-law, Eugene and Carolyn (Coup) Caicco of Milton; two sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Christine and Kevin Gehrer of Milton and Kathleen and Michael Meckley of Milton; and four nieces, Katlyn, Lauren, Olivia and Rebecca. He was a very caring man who was very dedicated to his wife, daughters, family, friends and the EMS service for many years. This was a great loss to the EMS family. Rest In Peace Tony, We Love and Miss You ! |