{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreibe5k2t4owcrzlkj25by3im3r3ngf7xxapjc5ytnyhneb3ipk3z7q",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmhdhup7xa22"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreih4wvrmapp67vf7gd7lxq2xfnsuqecwcfxgbtuvf34rmuw4gzamxa"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 317188
  },
  "path": "/news/2026/05/22/funeral-for-veteran-firefighter-steven-m-decker-who-died-during-training-gets-underway",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-22T15:39:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>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. </p><p>Battalion Chief Craig Dziedzic, who went through fire department academy with Decker, described Decker as generous.</p><p>\"He would give you the shirt off his back. He's just always with a smile on his face,\" Dziedzic said.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-060000\" name=\"image-060000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/04cf355/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+445/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3d%2F69%2F5e8878c642c5a38f766dce29c6dd%2F186a8987.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/57bb341/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+445/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3d%2F69%2F5e8878c642c5a38f766dce29c6dd%2F186a8987.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/203bb8a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+445/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3d%2F69%2F5e8878c642c5a38f766dce29c6dd%2F186a8987.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"186A8987.jpg\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/203bb8a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+445/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3d%2F69%2F5e8878c642c5a38f766dce29c6dd%2F186a8987.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/353594e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+445/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3d%2F69%2F5e8878c642c5a38f766dce29c6dd%2F186a8987.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/203bb8a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+445/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3d%2F69%2F5e8878c642c5a38f766dce29c6dd%2F186a8987.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Firefighters prepare for the funeral of veteran Firefighter Steven M. Decker who died May 14, 2026 during a training exercise.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p><i>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</i> </p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/05/14/firefighter-killed-during-training-exercise-in-west-ridge\" target=\"_blank\" >Decker, 61, died May 14 during a training exercise. </a>He was an engineer on Engine Company 71 in West Ridge and had been with the department for nearly 30 years. </p><p>Amid firetrucks flashing their lights, groups of white-gloved, uniformed firefighters began walking into the church shortly before services began at 10 a.m.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-600000\" name=\"image-600000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b2f4c64/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2Fc6%2F540ec045488f81744b3651ca41a3%2F186a8835.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5fa3bd3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2Fc6%2F540ec045488f81744b3651ca41a3%2F186a8835.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0f32611/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2Fc6%2F540ec045488f81744b3651ca41a3%2F186a8835.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"186A8835.jpg\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0f32611/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2Fc6%2F540ec045488f81744b3651ca41a3%2F186a8835.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ebd2b00/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2Fc6%2F540ec045488f81744b3651ca41a3%2F186a8835.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0f32611/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff5%2Fc6%2F540ec045488f81744b3651ca41a3%2F186a8835.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Firefighters during funeral services for veteran Firefighter Steven M. Decker, who died May 14, 2026 during a training exercise.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p><i>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</i> </p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>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. </p><p>Decker planned to retire at the end of the year, said the Schiestels and Dziedzic. </p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-5d0000\" name=\"image-5d0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/82f7089/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc4%2F66%2Fc90ceea84b50b044592609750ed2%2F186a8906.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/50b3605/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc4%2F66%2Fc90ceea84b50b044592609750ed2%2F186a8906.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/322e0f3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc4%2F66%2Fc90ceea84b50b044592609750ed2%2F186a8906.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"186A8906.jpg\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/322e0f3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc4%2F66%2Fc90ceea84b50b044592609750ed2%2F186a8906.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f6f3e94/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc4%2F66%2Fc90ceea84b50b044592609750ed2%2F186a8906.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/322e0f3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc4%2F66%2Fc90ceea84b50b044592609750ed2%2F186a8906.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>A hearse arrives for the funeral of veteran Firefighter Steven M. Decker, who died May 14, 2026 during a training exercise.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p><i>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</i> </p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-f40000\" name=\"image-f40000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4962fc6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+540/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F90%2F3e%2Fa5deaf5846058bb229876964bbe2%2F561a7231.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/57f69a0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+540/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F90%2F3e%2Fa5deaf5846058bb229876964bbe2%2F561a7231.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3f3ec7a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+540/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F90%2F3e%2Fa5deaf5846058bb229876964bbe2%2F561a7231.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"561A7231.jpg\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3f3ec7a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+540/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F90%2F3e%2Fa5deaf5846058bb229876964bbe2%2F561a7231.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3c89803/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+540/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F90%2F3e%2Fa5deaf5846058bb229876964bbe2%2F561a7231.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3f3ec7a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+540/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F90%2F3e%2Fa5deaf5846058bb229876964bbe2%2F561a7231.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Firefighters prepare for the funeral of veteran Firefighter Steven M. Decker who died May 14, 2026 during a training exercise.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p><i>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</i></p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><p><i>This is a developing story. Check back for updates.</i><br></p>",
  "title": "Mourners gather at funeral for veteran firefighter Steven M. Decker who died during training",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-22T15:49:18.174Z"
}