Fallen Ill. Firefighter's Family Receives Donated Van

Dec. 25, 2015
A local car dealership donated a minivan to the family of fallen Matteson Firefighter Mark Zielinski.

An Illinois car dealer donated a minivan to fallen Matteson Firefighter Mark Zielinski's family.

The day after Zielinski, 49, collapsed and died while performing CPR, his family's vehicle broke down. He left behind a wife and 10 children.

Lt. Scott Gilliam asked South Oak Dodge Chrysler Jeep to loan the family a vehicle, according to ABC7Chicago.com.

"This is something we wanted to do. It's something they wanted to accept on behalf of Mark and his family so we did it," dealership owner Garrett Guest said.

"He was what you call 'old school.' He would tell it like it is," Matteson Fire Chief Chris Schwalbe said said of Zielinski. "If you got off the track he would let you know. He kept the young guys in line. As a fire chief that was wonderful."

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