Community bids farewell to Haddix

Fire trucks staged outside the Schell City Christian Church on Friday, July 10; inside, the community said farewell to Dale Haddix.

He was a father, a grandfather, a U.S. Navy veteran, mayor of Schell City and assistant fire chief until the end, A crowd of about 300 packed into the Schell City Christian Church Friday morning to remember the life of Dale Haddix. 70, who died while assisting with firefighting operations during a July 4 fire sparked by the misuse of fireworks. Firefighters from area fire departments and apparatus from as far away as Adrian, Mo., came to pay their respects to a fellow firefighter along with family and local residents. Haddix's long life of service included 22 years in the U.S. Navy in addition to his service as mayor since elected in 2004, and his long-term service on the Schell City Volunteer Fire Department. Friends remember Haddix as a citizen dedicated to the community and to its protection.

Memorials are suggested to the Schell City Fire Department, in care of Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City.