Funeral arrangements set for fallen firefighter

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Funeral services for Mark Haudenschild II have been arranged for Friday, November 16th and Saturday November 17th.

Haudenschild died Sunday night while responding to a brush fire. His tanker, carrying around 28,000 pounds of water, flipped at the corner of Hillegas and Butler roads ejecting him from the truck.

There will be a viewing on Friday from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. at D.O. McComb at 1320 East Dupont Road in Fort Wayne. Immediately following the viewing, the Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Association will be holding a ceremony that is open to the public.

On Saturday, there will be a viewing from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. at The Chapel located at 2505 W. Hamilton Road in Fort Wayne with the funeral service immediately following at noon.

Haudenschild will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Churubusco. In firefighter tradition, his body will be carried on top of Washington Township's Fire Engine 62 instead of in a coach.

Fellow firefighters described Haudenschild as a second generation firefighter who loved what he did. They said he also enjoyed cars, hunting, fishing, and fixing things around the department.

Chief Brian Gillett of the Washington Township Fire Department said the community support they have been getting has been tremendous and much appreciated. Neighbors and restaurants have donated and made food for the firefighters, and students at Washington Center School made posters to hang on the station's walls.

In addition, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union has made a Memorial Fund that anyone can donate to for the family.