BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — The Bloomington Fire Department announced the sudden death of one of its own on Monday.
Captain James Schreiber, 53, died suddenly while he was off duty at his home, according to Bloomington Fire Chief Cory Matheny.
He said Schreiber started his career with the fire department on March 10, 1997. He was promoted to engineer in 2008 and to captain in 2019.
Matheny described Schreiber as a pillar of the department and said his loss will be felt by every member of the department and the community.
“Captain James Schreiber was the very definition of what it means to serve,” Matheny said. “For over 29 years, he showed up for this department, for his crew, and for the citizens of Bloomington with integrity and heart.”
“On behalf of the entire Bloomington Fire Department, I extend my deepest condolences to James’s family and to every member of this department who is grieving alongside them. His memory will live on in everything we do.”
According to his obituary, he was a 1990 graduate of Normal Community High School and got an associate degree in fire science from Illinois Community College in 2006.
Over the course of his career, Schreiber was recognised with the Life Saving Award, the Unit Citation Award, the Chief’s Vision Award and the Advanced Education Award, Matheny said.
His funeral arrangements are being handled by Carmody Flynn Funeral Home in Bloomington. Visitations will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m on Friday, June 19.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 20.
WMBD TV first reported this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
