TERRE HAUTE —
A Vermillion County resident was recognized Sunday as the oldest active volunteer firefighter in Indiana, according to the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association.
In 1948, Jack H. Dunkley was one of six members to establish a fire brigade in Centenary in Vermillion County. By 1951, at age 29, he was a founding member of the Clinton Township Fire Department, which started with 13 men and one fire truck. A firehouse in Centenary was built in 1958.
“I went to [elementary] school right here, and then they closed it and tore it down and built [the firehouse]. So the spot here has some history,” Dunkley said.
The fire department became officially recognized in 1961 and Dunkley became its first president. He later became the department’s third president and also spent seven years as secretary.
On Sunday, at age 90, Dunkley received the Indiana House of Representatives’ first resolution of 2013 in recognition of his service. Indiana Rep. Alan Morrison made the presentation.
The IVFA had previously recognized Dunkley’s 50 years of firefighter service on June 26, 2012. The IVFA has since awarded him a meritorious service award. Township Trustee Nancy Costello called Dunkley “the best example I could ever, ever talk about” of a volunteer firefighter.
Justin Nelson, fire chief of the Black Diamond Fire Department, which replaced the Clinton Township Fire Department, said Dunkley does not actively battle fires now, but attends meetings, votes and participates toward the betterment of the department, which qualifies him as an active member of the fire department.
“He is a hard worker,” Nelson said. “When we started this new department, I told everybody they will have to fill out an application and re-apply. Mr. Dunkley came in, grabbed a chair and sat down and said, ‘What do you want to talk about?’ He is a founding member of the department and he was willing to sit down and see what he could do. That tells a lot about his character,” Nelson said.
Dunkley, born Dec. 15, 1922, said a lot of things have changed since his first day as a firefighter. “After I got in, I liked it and wanted to be a part of it as long as I could. I am still here,” he chuckled. “I never figured to be 90, but here I am. It has been a good life.
“It means the world to me,” Dunkley said of the recognition on Sunday. “It is a lifetime honor. It means a lot to me to look back over the 50 years.”
He gave advice to others who many want to serve as a volunteer firefighter.
“If they get a chance to belong to an organization like this, well, do so. It takes a little time out of your time, but it is all worth it,” he said. “A lot of hard work will pay off, and it helps the community.”
Reporter Howard Greninger can be reached at 812-231-4204 or at howard.
greninger@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Thanks: Jack Dunkley thanked those in attendance for the recognition of his 50 years of service to the volunteer firefighting community.
-
Honored: Jack Dunkley (R) was honored for his 50 years of volunteer firefighting at the Black Diamond Fire Department in Centenary, Indiana Sunday afternoon.
-
Chief:Black Diamond Fire Department Chief Justin Nelson talks about Jack Dunkley's contributions to volunteer firefighting through the years.
-
Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter Resolution: State Rep. Alan Morrison presents Jack Dunkley with a resolution honoring his long volunteer firefighting service.
-
Oldest: Jack Dunkley is the oldest serving active firefighter in the State of Indiana and received recognition from the Indina Volunteer Firefighters Association Sunday afternoon at the Black Diamond Fire Department.
Discussion
Vermillion County resident honored as state’s oldest active volunteer firefighter
Jack Dunkley established fire brigade in 1948
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Co-Op to Feed group delivering to needy
Three Terre Haute organizations are teaming up to deliver food boxes to “the neediest of needy” with specific health concerns on a monthly basis.
-
Field trips to take big hit next year
The Vigo County School Corp. plans to inform school staff of “deep cuts” in student field trips for the next school year, Superintendent Dan Tanoos said Friday.
-
Donation drive in Valley aims to send help to Oklahoma tornado victims
Terre Haute Ministries, along with WTWO, WAWV, Q102.7 and 100.7 Mix-FM are joining forces to help those impacted by tornadoes in Moore, Okla.
-
Invention makes houses safer from tornadoes
A Terre Haute man has developed a building construction system that increases the strength of a home, especially from a tornado.
-
ISU to stage public hearing on proposed tuition increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Trial date set for man accused of attacking Vigo County deputy
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy has an Aug. 12 trial date.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Health information to be provided for blood donors
People who give blood at Clinton Gardens’ blood drive Tuesday will leave knowing valuable information about their health. Donors will find out their cholesterol level, blood pressure, blood type and iron levels at no cost.
-
‘This is the best day of my life’
-
Sullivan man airlifted to Indy after crash
A Sullivan man was in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital Friday after his pickup truck collided with a tanker truck in Sullivan County.
-
Veterans Memorial Park dedication set for Monday
Memorial Day ceremonies will include a special event this year.
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Today in History May 25
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
ShowBiz Minute: Shelton, King, Lopez
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Today in History May 24
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
President Obama Heckled at National Security Speech
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
