Hecker Camp Commander Dave Wildermuth’s Union Army uniform stands alone as part of a display at the Fairview Heights, Illinois Fire Department during his Celebration of Life event held in the large conference room of the firehouse. (Photo by Gerald Sonnenberg)

By Gerald Sonnenberg, USAF retired
Hecker Camp secretary and editor

Nearly 400 family members, friends, former coworkers and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) brothers attended a Celebration of Life event for Col. Friedrich K. Hecker Camp Commander Dave Wildermuth July 29. The event was held at and hosted by the Fairview Heights, Illinois Fire Department where CC Wildermuth previously worked.

Born Nov. 20, 1959, CC Wildermuth was a life-long resident of the Fairview Heights, Illinois area. He passed away July 20, surrounded by family, after a battle with cancer.

A member of the SUVCW and Hecker Camp since May 2013, he was serving his fifth term as camp commander when he passed. He worked for 14 years at Belleville Memorial Hospital, and he retired from the City of Fairview Heights Street Department after 30 years. He also retired as a lieutenant after 37 years as a part-time, on-call firefighter for the Fairview/Caseyville Township Fire Protection District in Fairview Heights.

In a Facebook post, the family said, “To all friends and family. From Sheila, Rachel and Eddie Wildermuth. We would like to thank everyone who attended today’s life celebration of David Wildermuth. What an amazing turn out it was. Dave was loved by so many. Thank you again for the amount of support that everyone has given us this past six months.”