By Tesa Glass
The Mt. Vernon Register-News
WALTONVILLE, Ill. — The community is mourning the passing of its fire chief.
Ed Dulaney, 73, passed away Friday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
Dulaney was one of the founders of Waltonville Fire Protection District, and has served the past 40 years as its only fire chief -- a volunteer position.
Dulaney was no stranger to community and service. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Waltonville VFW Post 9153. He was a Waltonville High School graduate, from the class of 1961, and continued to support Spartan athletics his entire life.
Assistant Chief Jerry Newell not only served on the fire district with Dulaney, but was a friend who helped start the department. He recalled getting the first fire truck with Dulaney.
“We went to Columbia, Illinois in ’76 and bought a truck,” Newell said. “We drove it back to Waltonville and started the fire station then. We’ve been together the whole time.”
Newell said the chief of the volunteer department was present at every call.
“He always knew we needed a fire department,” Newell said. Newell added the department is stronger for Dulaney’s leadership and would continue as a legacy to its long-time chief.
“The fire department to start with was Ed’s idea,” explained Waltonville Fire Lt. Scott Pennington. “He told Jerry, ‘let’s start a fire department and I understand Jerry thought he was crazy and said, ‘we don’t even have a fire truck.’ Waltonville gave them $5,000 to buy a 1952 pumper with a 500 gallon water tank on it. That’s how it all got started. We’ve been lucky and fortunate. He’s been a leader all along, from the very beginning. Every department had an origin, but the Chief was there at the beginning and spent the last 40 years here, and that’s been a unique opportunity.”
“This is a tough time for everybody,” said Waltonville Firefighter Paul Pennington. He was just a great guy and a fixture in the community and the department. ... It’s going to be a big loss.”
Waltonville Fire Capt. Joshua Summers said Dulaney had a giving nature and was known for his professionalism.
“Any time a sports team wanted a fire truck escort through town, he was quick to oblige them,” Summers said. “The chief was always ready to do whatever he could to help others and the community,” Summers said. “You just couldn’t ask for a better guy. I’ve been lucky enough to work with the man for the last 17 years, and I couldn’t think of anything bad to say about him.”
A benefit for Dulaney that was slated for Feb. 6 will be held, with proceeds going to the Dulaney family for medical expenses, funeral costs and other final expenses, Summers said. The benefit will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Waltonville Grade School cafeteria.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville, interment will be at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville. Military honors will be provided. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday with a firefighter walk-through at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
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(c)2016 the Mt. Vernon Register-News (Mount Vernon, Ill.)
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