Indiana Fire Captain Dies After Massive Heart Attack
Armstrong served the Bryant Volunteer Fire Department for six years. He was extremely active as a firefighter, a fundraiser, and as sergeant of arms for the fire department corporation, said Assistant Chief Larry Petro.
He was working at a fundraising event on the fire station's property when he was stricken.
"He said he was tired and was going to go sit under a tree and take a nap, and the next thing we know he was having a heart attack," Petro said.
His wife Nancy, also a firefighter, was there at the fundraiser. The two had their first baby just nine months ago.
Armstrong's fellow firefighters provided medical assistance and called for an ambulance, but he was pronounced dead at Jay County Hospital.
"It was quite a shock to our little department," the assistant chief said.
Petro described Armstrong as busy and adventurous. He worked as a mechanic at the Portland Municipal Airport and farmed. He also flew ultralight airplanes, was president of an off-road dunebuggy club, and was president of an amateur radio club.
Armstrong was also a good-hearted man, Petro said. "He was one of those guys who would do anything for anybody."
The Bryant Volunteer Fire Department has 30 members including nine first responders, as well as 11 cadets. They serve a farming community of under 800 people as well as two surrounding townships, over an area of about 140 square miles. This is the first line of duty death in their department.
A memorial fund has been established in the name of Armstrong's nine-month-old daughter. Contributions can be made to the Haley Armstrong Memorial Fund at First National Bank of Portland Indiana, on West Main Street, Portland, IN 47371, Tele. 260-726-7158.
Related:
Courtesy of The Commercial Review
Jerry Wayne Armstrong, 45, 11505 South 150 East, Geneva, died Saturday afternoon outside the Bryant Fire Department, Bryant.
Born to William and Nancy (Franks) Armstrong on Aug. 9, 1958 in Portland, he was a 1977 graduate of Jay County High School. On July 4, 1992, he married Nancy Sell, who survives.
He worked for Miller Aviation of Portland as a mechanic and had also owned and operated Armstrong