KINGSTON, Ohio — Fire departments from across the region are being asked to bring apparatus to Kingston on Friday for a funeral procession honoring Donald “Peanut” Norman, a founding member of the Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department who died July 31 at age 91, the department said.
UPDATE (Aug. 4, 3:35 p.m.): This story has been updated with additional information from the Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Departments wishing to participate in the procession are asked to arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. Friday at Hill Funeral Home in Kingston to line up, according to a post from the Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department. Norman’s funeral service is set to begin at 1 p.m., after which the procession will travel from the funeral home to Hallsville Cemetery for burial.
The department, based along State Route 180 in Hallsville, is an all-volunteer force serving Colerain Township in Ross County with a single station and about three dozen active volunteers, according to department listings. Norman was among the small group of residents who helped establish the department in its early years, the department said, laying the groundwork for the agency that still answers calls in the township today.
Norman retired after 42 years with the Mead Paper Company and served in the U.S. Air Force. Visitation is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hill Funeral Home, followed by a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Burial at Hallsville Cemetery will include military honors.
In its Facebook post announcing Norman’s death, the department called him a foundational figure in its history. “Without Peanut and the ones before us we would not be where we are today, and for that we are so grateful,” the department said. “Always remember the ones before you. Rest easy our brother, we have the watch from here.”
The phrase “we have the watch” is commonly used by fire and police agencies to honor a deceased member, signaling that those still serving are carrying on the duty the member once held.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department.
