According to information from York Fire Chief Kevin Stuhr representing York County Mutual Aid, Michael Aunkst, 45, of Benedict, died early Sunday morning after having an apparent heart attack while working at the scene of a fire in rural Gresham.
Stuhr explained that Waco, Benedict and Gresham crews were dispatched to a barn fire at 1910 Road 24, at approximately 12:20 a.m. While responding to the fire, Aunkst suffered a heart attack and was transported by the Gresham crew to Highway 81 where they were met by York Advanced Life Support. Together, the two squads transferred Aunkst to York General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Members of local mutual aid have provided a round-the-clock vigil since the time of his death, with a firefighter remaining with the body at all times until interment, Stuhr said, as is protocol when a firefighter dies in this manner.
Funeral Arrangements: Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 2 at 3 p.m. at the Benedict School Gym with LeRoy Hoyer PMA officiating.Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Benedict.
Memorials may be directed to the family or to the memorial fund that has been established at all York County banks. Metz Mortuary of York is handling arrangements and condolences may be emailed to the family at [email protected].
Aunkst is survived by his wife Teresa, his daughter Liza and his stepson Dustin Welch all at home in Benedict; his mother Helen Aunkst of Aztec, NM; 10 brothers and sisters, John, Mary Ann, Jim, Patty, Arlene Carpenter, Dave, Carl, Patrick, Robert and Shawn, his father and mother-in-law Larry and Phyllis Schall, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jeff Schall, Jody Schall, Audrey Schneider, Joyce Rhodes and Jay Schall, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his father, niece Lindsey and Uncle Al.
