Delbert Powell Honored by the Cerro Gordo Fire Department

Former Cerro Gordo Fire Chief Powell Honored. At the monthly meeting of the Cerro Gordo Fire Protection District on Thursday, February 11, Delbert Powell was presented with a plaque that read: “In recognition of his service as Chief of the Cerro Gordo Fire Protection District from June 2013 to June 2020. From his fellow volunteers and trustees of the Cerro Gordo Fire Protection District Volunteer Fire Department.” Pictured is Tyler Morganthaler, Secretary and Trustee; Sam Brandenburg, President; Delbert Powell, retired chief; Max Born, Trustee; Dick Marvin, Trustee; and Gary Shaffer, Treasurer and Trustee.

By Doris Elmore
Staff Writer

Delbert Powell of Cerro Gordo was presented with a plaque commemorating his many years of service to the fire department at the fire meeting on Thursday, Feb. 10. Delbert actually retired in June, 2020, but due to the pandemic the presentation was halted until now.

Delbert, 66, wanted to be helpful to his community and attended a fire meeting with a mutual friend, Rev. Stephen Cole, back in 1981. Delbert decided this was a good fit for him and joined the department in December, 1981. After years of service to the department, he became fire chief in June, 2013.

“I have enjoyed being on the department,” says Delbert. He led the volunteers through learning the aspects of the fire department and was very proud to see the training tower built, which is used by their department and surrounding departments for training. Delbert was also instrumental in the department purchasing a new rescue truck. This ensured the department was able to make calls in a faster and more timely manner.

He states, “I want to wish the new fire chief, Brian Schoemperien and Assistant Chief Butch Hildebrand, and the department many years of continued success in helping to keep our community safe.”

Delbert and his wife Donna will celebrate their 46th anniversary in May. They have three children-David, an Army veteran, and wife Susan of Decatur; Michael, a former volunteer and officer with the Cerro Gordo Fire Department, lives in Cerro Gordo with his daughters Emily and Alaina. Their daughter Lisa Lowry, and husband Justin live in Heyworth with their son, Andrew. Lisa is a Cancer Care Navigator in Normal.

While Delbert has enjoyed his time with the fire department, he says he is ready to spend more time with his family, fishing and camping. Delbert still works full time for Heinkel’s Packing Co. in Decatur as Maintenance Supervisor. If a machine breaks down, it is Delbert that gets it working again. He has been at Heinkel’s since May, 1972.

Donna is very active in the Cerro Gordo Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary Group.