HURON – After serving 37 years in the volunteer fire service Joe Stewart has chosen to hang up his fire helmet to enjoy retirement.
Last Sunday friends and members of the Huron Volunteer Fire Department along with members from Lawrence County Search & Rescue congratulated Stewart for his service.
Huron Fire Chief Bill Kinser presented Stewart with a plaque and thanked him for his service.
“I first was a volunteer firefighter in Shelby County, Indiana, for 25 years before coming to Lawrence County, Indiana. I also served in Marion Township and for the City of Mitchell and then Huron. I served several years on multiple departments at the same time,” said Stewart.
Due to the time commitments, it takes to be a volunteer firefighter many volunteers can or will serve a couple of years. However, Stewart has put a lot of time and energy into helping his community.
“My family, from my wife to my eight children, have suffered from me being away on fires, training, and meetings. But, yet they all have supported my efforts and I want to thank them,” said Stewart.
“Joe has helped us make a lot of changes in the Huron Volunteer Fire Department and has helped us move forward,” said Bill Kinser fire chief Huron Volunteer Fire Department.
Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Association past president Steve Anderson made a trip from Evansville to also congratulate Stewart on his retirement.
Stewart retired from a transmission company in Shelbyville, Indiana, and sold his personal woodworking business here in Lawrence County.
“My wife and I want to travel the United States with RV travel and that is what will be doing with our first stop being in St. Louis, Missouri,” said Stewart.
Stewart was also the president of the Lawrence County Search & Rescue Team which he is also retiring from. Jeremy Carpenter was named the new leader for that organization on Sunday.
Attendees were treated with pulled pork sandwiches, cake, beverages, and music to celebrate Stewart’s milestone.
