KANKAKEE â Former Kankakee Fire Chief David St. John, a member of the department for nearly 30 years, died early Monday following a short battle with cancer.
St. John was the city fire chief from May 1993 through June 1996. When he retired from the department in 1996, he concluded a 27-year career. St. John was 75.
Funeral services are pending at the Jenson Funeral Home.
St. John was appointed chief when Mayor Donald Green took office in 1993.
He was also known as someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve and as someone who was entirely devoted to the fire service.
âFire service was his life,â his daughter, Sheri Schimisek said Monday. âIt was absolutely his life. He lived, ate and drank fire service. It was his true passion.â