Fallen Chicago firefighter Steven Decker remembered as loving grandfather, passionate serviceman at funeral

Funeral services were held on Friday morning for fallen Chicago firefighter Steven Decker, who died during a training exercise last week.

Decker's funeral began on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 5650 N. Canfield Ave. in the Norwood Park neighborhood.

Firefighters and community members gathered outside the church ahead of the service. 

Decker's brother, Jim Decker, spoke at the service and said, "he was born to be a fireman." He said his brother was inspired by their father, who was also a fireman. 

"He was there for everyone, everyone he encountered he took care of," Jim said. "We are all going to miss him." 

His son spoke and said he remembers his dad as a passionate grandfather and eager serviceman. He said his dad "had an impact in every aspect of his life." 

A visitation for Decker was held on Thursday at Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Homes. 

Decker collapsed during a training exercise on Thursday afternoon in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue in West Rogers Park.

Sources said he was taking part in a hose test when he collapsed, and his fellow firefighters began administering CPR to try to revive him before taking him to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 4 p.m.

Decker, 61, was a nearly 30-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department, assigned as a fire engineer with Engine 71 in West Rogers Park. Fire engineers are typically responsible for maintaining fire engines and other equipment, driving fire engines, and connecting hoses to hydrants and other water sources, in addition to standard firefighter duties.