Mourners gather at funeral for veteran firefighter Steven M. Decker who died during training
Bagpipers gathered outside and firefighters made their way into St. Paul Lutheran Church on the Northwest Side as the funeral for veteran Chicago Firefighter Steven M. Decker began Friday morning.
Battalion Chief Craig Dziedzic, who went through fire department academy with Decker, described Decker as generous.
"He would give you the shirt off his back. He's just always with a smile on his face," Dziedzic said.
Decker, 61, died May 14 during a training exercise. He was an engineer on Engine Company 71 in West Ridge and had been with the department for nearly 30 years.
Amid firetrucks flashing their lights, groups of white-gloved, uniformed firefighters began walking into the church shortly before services began at 10 a.m.
Before heading into the church, Arlene Schiestel and George Schiestel, Decker's godparents, told the Sun-Times his father was a firefighter and his son is a firefighter in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Decker planned to retire at the end of the year, said the Schiestels and Dziedzic.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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