Vanderwal died Saturday unexpectedly, leaving his positions as Watseka's Public Works superintendent, Watseka assistant fire chief and Iroquois Memorial EMT.

Watseka fire chief Dave Mayotte said a critical incident stress team was at the fire station Monday night to help firefighters and others involved deal with the situation.

He said the Crescent-Iroquois fire department brought an engine to stand by at the Watseka fire station Tuesday night so firefighters could go together to the visitation. Mayotte said Martinton's fire department stood by yesterday to allow Watseka's firefighters to attend the 11 a.m. funeral.

Not only firefighters attended the visitation and funeral to pay their respects, but the Watseka Police officers, EMS personnel and Watseka Fire Department cadets were also present.

Following the funeral, a long procession of fire trucks, squad cars and ambulances led family and friends through Watseka to Iroquois Memorial Park east of Watseka, where Vanderwal was buried. Fire departments participating included Woodland, Sheldon, Crescent-Iroquois, Martinton, Gilman, Milford and Hoopeston.