Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsSaturday, July 26, 2008 10:13 PM CDT
Comments Comments (3) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Friends, family remember fallen firefighter
By M.K. Guetersloh
mkguetersloh@pantagraph.com
Advertisement

FAIRBURY -- Brian J. Munz was the kind of guy who would stop on his way to a New Year’s party to help shovel snow off an elderly woman’s driveway. | Photo gallery | Video

At 14, he was the golf ball king, collecting stray balls from Fairbury Country Club and reselling them. In his teens he started his own business, Big B’s Lawn Care, which grew into a lawn mowing service with more than 40 customers.

At his funeral Saturday morning at First United Methodist Church in Fairbury, the Rev. Charles McDonald said going to college was not for Munz, 24, a Fairbury firefighter.

“All he wanted to do was get his hands dirty,” McDonald said.

Munz was with brethren from seven fire departments Tuesday night who were called to fight a two-story house fire in Forrest. State fire officials still aren’t sure how the fire started.

“Heroic” is how McDonald described Munz’s actions that night. “He made sure two of his fellow firefighters got out first before the floor gave way,” McDonald said.

Munz was lucky, the minister said, because he lived life fully and with valor.

“He knew what was right, and he did it. He knew how to live, and he did it. And he knew how to love, and he did it,” McDonald said. “That is why I say he is lucky.”

Family members and firefighters shared stories about the “good guy who was a little mischievous and always wearing a smile” in a sanctuary filled with more than 400 people. Another 100 stood in the church yard, listening to the service broadcast over outside speakers.

A purple firefighter’s flag draped Munz’s coffin. Scott Runyon of the Pontiac Fire Department rang the firefighter’s bell in a funeral tradition to signify the end of Munz’s service as a firefighter.

More than 70 police cars, fire engines, rescue trucks and ambulances from departments all over Central Illinois and Indiana lined up in front of the Fairbury fire engine that carried Munz to Graceland Cemetery.

A four-member honor guard of firefighters from suburban departments in Melrose Park, Franklin Park, Hillside and Lisle stood outside the church as the recessional was led by two bagpipers from the Illinois State Police.

McDonald’s homily quoted Ephesians: “Walk, better yet run, on the road God called you to travel.”

“As you’ve heard here today, you didn’t see Brian sitting on his hands,” McDonald said. “He lived life at a full run.”
Take a look
Family and friends attend funeral service for Brian J. Munz Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Graceland Cemetary in Fairbury. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 3 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

luckedee83 wrote on Jul 27, 2008 1:01 AM:

" For those of you who were not blessed enough to know Munzy one word to describe him best....selfless. One word to describe the days "events" ...Amazing. What a huge support group of friends, family and Firefighters. Brian was loved by many and will be remembered by all. We are sad to see him leave this Earth but what an amazing memorial. "

Deputy Dog wrote on Jul 26, 2008 10:51 PM:

" RIP my friend, your work here is done. "

jipsi wrote on Jul 26, 2008 10:49 PM:

" THANKS to The Pantagraph and the family, friends and fellow firefighters, for the sharing of the collection of photo's (see photo gallery), of the Brian Munz memorial and funeral...
Many of us who could not attend 'in person' appreciate being able to have a few quiet moments, viewing the solemn ceremony by proxy (the photos), to remember Brian's sacrifice.
As his life's work affects us all, so does his passing.
Sincerest sympathy and gratitude to his loved ones and all who knew this hero, Brian Munz... "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy