In Memoriam
Captain Leo W. Werner
Final Alarm: 2020-12-10
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
- Fire Engineering. (2020, December 16). IL Fire Captain Dies from Apparent Heart Attack. Retrieved from https://www.fireengineering.com/2020/12/16/497473/il-fire-captain-dies-from-apparent-heart-attack/
- Firehouse. (2020, December 14). Longtime IL Firefighter Dies of Heart Attack after Call. Retrieved from https://www.firehouse.com/lodds/news/21202264/longtime-il-firefighter-dies-of-heart-attack-after-call
- Galena Gazette. (2020, December 14). Leo Werner. Retrieved from Obituaries: https://www.galenagazette.com/stories/leo-werner,52157?
- Hogstrom, E. (2020, December 14). NW Illinois community mourns 'all-American' firefighter who died after responding to call. Telegraph Herald, pp. 5A. Retrieved from https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article_42d36c6b-5bb3-59b1-8ce1-5762430bbb33.html
- MyStateLine.com. (2020, December 12). Scales Mound Fire Capt. Leo Werner passes away. Retrieved from https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/scales-mound-fire-capt-leo-werner-passes-away/
- U.S. Fire Administration. (2020). Leo W. Werner - Captain. Retrieved from Firefighter Fatalities: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/fatalityData/detail?fatalityId=4990