Scales Mound Fire Protection District

To Report an Emergency Dial 9-1-1

Fallen in the Line of Duty

Captain Leo W. Werner

Final Alarm: 2020-12-10

Biography & Citations

Captain Leo W. Werner, 67, of the Scales Mound Fire Protection District gave his life in the line of duty on December 10, 2020. Captain Werner responded to a medical call on Wednesday, December 9, around 10PM. Shortly after returning home from the call, Captain Werner suffered an apparent heart attack. Members of the Scales Mound Fire Protection District, Galena EMS and Elizabeth EMS responded to his residence and rendered aid. Despite their tireless efforts, Captain Werner passed away at 12:02AM on Thursday, December 10 at Midwest Medical Center in Galena. Captain Werner was a 46-year veteran of the Scales Mound Fire Protection District. Captain Werner will be dearly missed by his family, fire department family and anyone that knew him.

Leo was born on June 19, 1953, at Hazel Green, WI, the son of James C. and Sarah R. (Winter) Werner. He was a graduate of Scales Mound High School, Class of 1971. Leo served in the U. S. Army from 1972-1974. He was united in marriage to Janet Redfearn in 1974 at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, at Schapville, IL. Leo was employed at Kelly-Springfield Tire Company in Freeport for 30 years until his retirement. Following retirement he enjoyed driving his dump truck, driving for RT&T Trucking, and lastly as a bus driver for the Scales Mound School District. He was an avid history buff, loved his old western movies, YouTube videos, he was known for his knowledge of guns, enjoyed recreational shooting, and his passion for sports, especially the sports his grandkids participated in. Leo was a #1 Hornet fan and a BSM Zephyr/Knights fan. He was a proud U. S. Soldier and proud of his Green Bay Packers. Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Janet; three children, Brad (Keri) Werner, Hiedi (Neal) Edelson, and Adam Werner; his four favorite grandchildren, Benjamin, Anniston, Landon, and Max; two grand dogs, Asher and Rodgers; two brothers, Dennis Werner and Larry (Brenda) Werner; his father-in-law, Vernon Redfearn, of Galena; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sarah; and his mother-in-law, Ruth (Dotzel) Redfearn.

Godspeed, brother. We’ll take it from here.

Citations

FireFighter Kurt M. Meusel

Final Alarm: 2010-05-22

Biography & Citations

“Kurt M. Meusel, 25, of rural Scales Mound died Saturday evening, May 22, 2010, from injuries received in a ATV/deer accident near Scales Mound while responding with the Scales Mound Fire Department to help search for a missing person. Kurt was born on Jan. 6, 1985, in Dubuque, Iowa, a son of Michael A. and Sue M. (Stoewer) Meusel. He was a graduate of Scales Mound High School, with the class of 2003 and attended and graduated from Diesel Truck Driving and Heavy Equipment School at Sun Prairie, Wis. He was employed at Gary Saam Excavation Co. Kurt loved four-wheeling, horseback riding, truck pulling, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Scales Mound Volunteer Fire Dept. Surviving are his parents, Mike and Sue Meusel of Scales Mound; two brothers, Troy (fiancée, Babe) and Shawn (fiancée, Katie) of Scales Mound; one sister, April (Brenden) Pautsch of Madison, Wis.; his nieces and nephews, Gavin, Caitlyn and Keegan; his fiancée, Kara Ann Homb and her parents, Paul (Sherry) Homb of Scales Mound; his paternal grandparents, Ben and Kate (Geiger) Meusel of Avon Park, Fla.; and maternal grandmother, Mildred (Stoewer) Allendorf of Galena; as well as many uncles, aunts and cousins, stepaunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfathers, Donald Stoewer and Pete Allendor; and a cousin, Paige Stoewer.” (Journal Standard).

Godspeed, brother. We’ll take it from here.

Citations

Our Fallen Brothers

Assistant Chief Wayne J. Wienen

Final Alarm: 2017-07-27

Biography & Citations

“Wayne J. Wienen, 76 of Galena, IL passed away peacefully Thursday, July 27, 2017 at Midwest Medical Center, Galena. Wayne was born in Guilford Township on August 9, 1940, son of Joseph and Vera (Beadle) Wienen. He graduated from Scales Mound High School in 1958. He married Jeanette Hoefer on October 22, 1966 at Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Menominee, IL. Wayne farmed the family farm in Guilford Township his entire life. He owned and operated Wienen’s Lawn Mowing and Snow Plowing Service for 30 years. Wayne was a member of the Scales Mound Fire Protection District for 35 years where he served as Assistant Chief for the Galena Territory Fire Station. He was an active member of the Guilford Township Board of Trustees for 51 years and was recently recognized for his dedicated service. Wayne was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, where he served as an usher. He was also a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles, Galena. Wayne enjoyed dancing with his wife and could be found on the dance floor with the “bunch” of friends every Saturday night. He loved a good game of euchre with his morning “coffee buddies” and enjoyed going to ballgames (no matter the sport). Wayne loved and supported his grandchildren, faithfully attending their sporting events and all activities. He was a hard worker, a good friend, and above all, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He set a wonderful example. Wayne is survived by his wife, Jeanette; a son, Jeff (Ann) Wienen; a daughter Lori (Mike) Spillane all of Galena, IL; four grandchildren, Kelsey and Claire Wienen, and Emily and Cameron Spillane; a sister, Janet (Tom) Lacke of Belvidere, IL. His parents and a granddaughter, Grace Isabelle Wienen, preceded him in death.” (Galena Gazette).

 

Godspeed, brother. We’ll take it from here.

 

Citations

 

Firefighter Benjamin R. Weimer

Final Alarm: 2020-08-12

Biography & Citations

Ben Weimer started his first responder career as a firefighter with the North Aurora Fire Protection District and the Batavia Fire Department. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. In 2011 Ben met his future wife, Stacey; they married on September 24, 2015 and moved to The Galena Territory in Illinois the next year. Ben joined the Galena Territory Fire Station of the Scales Mound Fire Protection District shortly after moving in. A dedicated and knowledgeable firefighter with a background as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Ben faithfully worked to protect and aid his community on hundreds of medical, fire and rescue calls over the years. Ben and his wife Stacey Weimer welcomed their little boy, Aiden, into the world in February of 2019. Tragically, Ben lost his wife unexpectedly and suddenly in July of that same year. Despite being a new single father, Ben kept volunteering as a firefighter in the community and took a new job working security for the Galena Territory Association. Without warning Ben, 38, tragically lost his life on August 12, 2020.

Godspeed, brother. We’ll take it from here.

Citations

  • Behlke, B. (2020, Wednesday August). Honoring Ben. Galena Gazette, p. 26.