It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Firefighter Jim Welka, a dedicated member of the Belle Valley Fire Department, who bravely served our community for 45 years.
Jim has been involved with the fire department for many years, lending his expertise in many areas throughout the department. The leadership and specialized electronics experience Jim gained during his 30 years of service in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer, has tremendously impacted our department. Among other contributions, Jim introduced an extensive maintenance program for Belle Valley's SCBAs (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), a system that remains in practice today, ensuring the safety of our volunteer firefighters. Jim's contributions and commitment to the Belle Valley community over more than four decades is unmatched.
The Belle Valley Fire Department would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time.
For those interested in paying their respects, the Welka family will be hosting visiting hours on Sunday, Jan. 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Brugger Funeral Home, 845 E. 38th St. The funeral service will be Monday, Jan. 20, at 10 a.m. at Brugger Funeral Home.
