NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Pastor Larry Zurek leads a funeral mass for former Peoria Fire Cheief Ernie Russell on Friday morning at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Russell was 74.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Jeremy Ott, 10, leans on Sara Russell, left, as the casket of Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell is moved on Friday during funeral services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Peoria. Russell was 74.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Pallbearers carry the casket of former Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell on Friday morning during funeral services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Russell was 74.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Peoria Heights firefighter Greg Walters, right, signs his name in the guest book at the funeral mass for former Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell on Friday morning at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Russell was 74.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Fire trucks lead the funeral procession of former Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell on Friday on Monroe Street near the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Russell was 74.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Sara Russell, the wife of the late fomer Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell, stands as pallbears move her husband’s casket on Friday during funeral services at Resurrection Cemetery.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Dena Mather hugs her son Spencer, 10, on Friday during funeral services for retired Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell on Friday at Resurrection Cemetery. Russell was 74.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR A patch for the Oak Lawn Fire Department lies on the casket of former Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell on Friday during funeral services at Resurrection Cemetery. Russell was 74.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR On right, Kristine Marion hugs Sara Russell at the end of funeral services for former Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell on Friday at Resurrection Cemetery. Russell was 74.