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Indiana fire department district chief dies of apparent heart attack while on scene of fire

District Chief Dave Phelps served the Prairieton community for more than 59 years, according to the PFD.

VIGO COUNTY, Ind — A western Indiana fire department is mourning the loss of one of their own.

In a post on social media, the Prairieton Fire Department announced that District Chief Dave Phelps died Nov. 2 of an apparent heart attack while on the scene of a structure fire.

According to the social media post, Phelps served the Prairieton community for more than 59 years and was named "Mister IVFA" from the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association earlier this year. 

Phelps leaves behind a wife and two children. 

Visitation for Phelps will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7 at the DeBaun Springhill Chapel in Terre Haute from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. The Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Association will host a memorial at the conclusion of Tuesday's visitation. 

The funeral will be held Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the same location as the visitation. Phelps' burial will take place at the New Harmony Cemetery, which is south of Prairieton. 

IT IS WITH DEEP SORROW AND PROFOUND SADNESS THAT WE ANNOUNCE THE LINE OF DUTY DEATH OF PRAIRIETON FIRE DEPARTMENT...

Posted by Prairieton Fire Department on Friday, November 3, 2023

Prairieton is roughly 9 miles south of Terre Haute. 

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