A firefighter with the Huntley Fire Protection District was killed in a motorcycle crash on April 12 while returning home from a meeting.
Capt. John C. Winkelman was on assignment as the District's Communication Officer and was leaving the meeting at the dispatch center when the collision occurred, according to a news release from the fire district.
The district compensates members for travel to and from assigned meetings and the Illinois State Fire Marshal and USFA have both reported Winkelman's death as occurring on duty.
The 24-year veteran of the fire district and the former chief of the Marengo Rescue Squad was thrown off his 2007 Harley-Davidson after it collided with a 2000 Chrysler Concorde on Route 176 in Crystal Lake around 3 p.m., according to The Northwest Herald.
Winkelman was transported to Centegra Hospital where he died.
The driver of the Concorde -- Kimberly Randall -- was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
"He just absolutely loved his career. It was his passion; he absolutely loved being a fireman," Deputy Chief Ken Caudle told the newspaper. "John was just a huge part of our family here, and he will truly be missed. John is irreplaceable, the type of person he was and what he stood for is to be commended."
Winkelman made captain back in 2000 and recently completed his Fire Officer II training.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn -- a dispatcher for the Harvard Police Department -- and three daughters and two stepsons.
Funeral Arrangements
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 17 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cosman Center, 12015 Mill Street, Huntley, Ill.
A fire department walk through will take place at 7 p.m. and line up will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the southwest parking lot.
Visitation will continue on Wednesday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 6812 Main Street, Union, Ill.
Line up will be at 10:30 a.m.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at 11 a.m. at the church.
Procession to Marengo City cemetery will follow immediately after the funeral service.
