Funeral Thursday for former Fox Lake fire chief

Stu Hoehne lived life the way he wanted.

"He was just very proud to live the life he did," his daughter Nancy Rogers said. "He was so proud of Fox Lake and the fire department and his family. He was just such a proud man."

Hoehne died at home Saturday surrounded by family after a monthlong fight with cancer, Rogers said. He was 79.

His funeral is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Grant High School Fieldhouse on Devlin Road. The funeral procession will travel past Fox Lake Fire Station #1 on Washington Street before driving to the Fox Lake Cemetery on Old Monaville Road in Ingleside, Rogers said.

The wake is 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the field house.

Officials said they are using that venue because area funeral homes will be too small to accommodate the number of mourners expected to attend.

Friends said Hoehne was truly a good man who could light up a room and was always ready to help those in need.

Close friend Pete Jakstas said Hoehne was quick with a joke and a smile, and had a talented singing voice.

"He would just start singing and everyone would turn and look at him and smile," Jakstas said. "He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He was just amazing and will be sorely missed."

Hoehne joined the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department in 1957 and became an active member of the Fox Lake Fire Protection District a year later, but being a fireman wasn't always his dream.

First, he served in the U.S. Army, rose to the rank of corporal, and helped to secure the Eagle's Nest Road in Bavaria, best known as a bunker used seldomly by Adolf Hitler during World War II.

Then he returned home to Fox Lake and worked for his family's sand and gravel company.

He was eventually recruited to join the fire district by former chief "Corky" Dalziel.

Son Ron Hoehne, who replaced his father as Fox Lake Fire Chief, said his father was recruited because he had learned how to operate heavy vehicles during his time in the Army and at the gravel company.

"He became close friends with the chief, and Corky pushed him into it because my father had time to do it," Ron Hoehne said. "He fell in love with it."

Stu Hoehne worked his way up the ranks at the fire district, and was promoted to chief when Dalziel stepped down in 1981.

"My brother (Rich) and I were really fortunate enough to watch my dad work at the fire department (district)," Ron Hoehne said. "We were fascinated by him, watching him go into a building that was completely engulfed in flames and seeing him come out after. It was really amazing."

Stu Hoehne was named chief emeritus after retiring in 2001, a job he took to heart, Ron Hoehne said.

"I would solicit his advice on occasion," Hoehne said with a chuckle. "Then, of course, there were times I didn't ask for his advice and I got it anyway. But that's the way my father was. He loved this department."

Hoehne also served two terms as a Fox Lake village trustee, spent time on the planning and zoning board, and served as public works superintendent for about 17 years.

In honor of his service, Fox Lake Fire Station number 4 on State Park Road was named the Stu Hoehne Fire Station following his retirement.

"He was a funny, funny, man, who was also fearless in whatever he did," Ron Hoehne said. "He was always willing to do what needed to be done and stand up for what he believed in."

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to give donations to the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department in his name.