Brotherhood turns out for firefighter's funeral
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<p align="justify">A metal firefighter's bell rang out three times in a Havana church Thursday as the "brotherhood" of local firefighters embraced the family of a Havana firefighter.
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<p align="justify">Havana Rural Fire Department Lt. Brian DeFord, 47, died this week of natural causes.
<p align="justify">His family and friends gathered Thursday at the Havana Church of Christ along with about 60 firefighters from numerous area departments.
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<p align="justify">Havana Rural Fire Department Capt. Scott Williams said DeFord was a firefighter for about five years. The volunteer department has 18 firefighters.
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<p align="justify">"He was always at the call," Williams said. "If he wasn't it was because he was out of town or sick."
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<p align="justify">Havana Rural Fire Chief Gary Blakely described DeFord as a gentle person who genuinely cared about people.
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<p align="justify">"He was one of the all-around good guys that the world doesn't have enough of," Blakely said. "We will definitely miss him. His death left a hole in the department and in our hearts as well."
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<p align="justify">Blakely said he sent out an e-mail about DeFord's death to other firefighters in the mutual aid network and he received calls back from as far away as Louisiana offering help.
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<p align="justify">"That's the way the fire brotherhood works," he said.
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<p align="justify">Havana Rural firefighters served as the honor guard at DeFord's visitation Wednesday night. During Thursday's funeral, those who spoke called him a credit to the firefighter's uniform and someone who was a "kid at heart."
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<p align="justify">Firefighters carried DeFord's casket out of the church and then joined other area firefighters in 20 fire trucks in leading the procession from the church to the Bath Cemetery.
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<p align="justify">A department fire truck was draped with black and purple funeral bunting as was the front of the department's station in Havana. The truck was the last in the fire truck line and led the hearse from the church to the cemetery.
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<p align="justify">"The family wanted all the firemen to be involved … and we're honored to be doing it," Williams said. "We're going to try to make him proud today."
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<p align="center">Reach Journal Star reporter Jodi Pospeschil at (309) 686-3041 or state@pjstar.com.
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