HALLSVILLE, Ohio — The Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department is mourning the death of retired member Donald Norman, known to most in the department as “Peanut,” who the department says was one of its last surviving founding members.
The department announced Norman’s death in a Facebook post, calling him a foundational figure in the department’s history and thanking him for his service to both Colerain Township and the country.
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.
In its post, the department said Norman also served his country, though it did not specify a branch or era of military service.
“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 in its post. “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.
