Remembering Fireman Schoffstall

Remembering Fireman Schoffstall

Honor and remember the life of john schoffstall."

A final farewell for a fallen hero... more than a thousand packing a high school parking lot... wearing face masks... for terre haute firefighter john schoffstall's last alarm.

12:11:48 - :55 nats - 3 bell rings a message from his chief -- good job -- we've got it from here.

Good evening and thank you for joining us.

Terre haute firefighter john schoff-stall was laid to rest today after a public service.

He died easter morning after a battle with covid-19 -- the disease caused by the coronavirus.

News 10's richard solomon was there for the service and has more on how this public servant is being remembered by many.

It's our top story.

Richar} terre haute firefighter john schoffstall served this community from station 5 for more than a decade.

He passed by this spot on his way to his final resting place after hundreds of people paid their last respects.

Pk} "nats of trumpets" it's his final call to service... "unit 347 firefighter john schoffstall is out of service.

He has gone home.

May he rest in peace."

A homecoming celebration for terre haute hero john schoffstall.

The virus that claimed his life also prevented his family and community from having a traditional service.

The entire parking lot of west vigo high school -- packed.

People in their cars -- practicing social distancing -- listening to the service on the radio or the service on the radio or watching it streamed online.

Others -- wearing black facemasks.

"if you called he was there.

You can obviously see how many people he helped or been around or grew up with."

Someone who wasn't able to make it to the funeral -- john's mother -- who's battling the same virus that took her son's life.

His father -- pleading for prayer.

Covered: "i know john's looking after his mom.

I don't think i can go through another one of these please help me take care of her."

Firefighters -- passing by his casket... tossing out white carnations as a final goodbye.

A special funeral procession traveled from west terre haute... to fire station 5... passing under a garrison flag.

The people he served -- lining the way.

"bell nats" schoffstall's final stop -- fire station 5 -- where he served for nearly 12 years.

His brothers in the department -- soluting him.

His fire chief -- issuing one last order.

"john had a saying..you never know when it's your turn until god spins his roll of decks and pulls your name.

Covered: rest easy brother we got it from here."

Reporting in terre haute, richard solomon news, 10.

As you just saw... many people lined the streets to pay their respects today.

One of those people is betty hayes.

She -- and other members of the wabash valley jeep junkies -- blocked off traffic for the procession.

Hayes has procession.

Traffic for the blocked off junkies -- valley jeep of the wabash other members she -- and hayes.

People is betty one of those today.

Their respects streets to pay lined the many people saw... as you just 10.

Solomon news, richard terre haute, richard solomon news, 10.

As you just saw... as you just 10.