The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MANY PAY TRIBUTE TO MARK HORTON
Former Elyria firefighter, Sheffield Township trustee honored after death
Firefighters live with rushes of adrenaline with each alarm bell, crackle of an emergency radio and siren rushing to a scene.
But Feb. 18 a sting of sadness accompanied the last fire bell rung for retired Elyria firefighter and past union president Mark Horton at Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Road in Elyria.
Horton died Feb. 12 at age 64 as a result of injuries from a two-vehicle accident in Wellington.
Elyria Fire Capt. Dean Marks, 45, president of Local 474 of International Association of Fire Fighters, said the department is still responding to the news.
“Obviously heartbroken,” Marks said, “still in shock of the whole thing of what happened. Today we are trying to pay the respects he earned not only on the fire department but also in the union.
“I’ve known him my whole career of 22 years,” Marks said. “He was a well-loved
guy, a lot of friends all over the country.”
Vermilion Fire Marshall John Showalter, 70, said his relationship with Horton spans decades.
“I’ve known Mark many years,” Showalter said. “I worked with his wife at the Vermilion Post Office. When this happened, firefighters are a brotherhood. We came here to support.”
Doug Stern, director of communications and public relations for Ohio Professional Fire Fighters, said fire service personnel from as far away as Washington State and Manitoba, Canada, attended the funeral.
“There were 14 pipers and drummers,” Stern said. “We used three different color guards comprised of multiple fire departments. All told there were probably 25 fire fighters in the color guard.”
Firefighter Steve Dunham, 52, of Dayton, is president of Local 136.
“I worked with (Horton) at Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters,” Dunham said. “He was a great guy. It’s hard,
too.”
To honor Horton, a large American flag flapped in a warm breeze held high by two aerial ladder fire trucks over Gulf road.
Hundreds of fire personnel wore dress uniforms with medals of valor and rank.
Special music reminded the crowd of a link between the present life and eternity with selections such as “Be Not Afraid” and “On Eagle’s Wings” sung by Guy DeNillo. Cellist Joanne Erwin provided a prelude.
Elyria High School Madrigals added comfort with a blessing by singing, “May the Road Rise to Meet You.”
The pipes and drums played to escort the flagdraped casket into the auditorium and down the steps, then played, “Amazing Grace.”
Marks served as master of ceremony.
“(Horton) was my mentor and my friend,” Marks said. “He was a great example of what a public servant should be: dedicated and selfless. Mark served as local president. Even though Mark was an only child, his brothers and sisters are here today. The fire department family honors its own, and Mark was one of us.”
Marks addressed Horton’s wife.
“Barb, Mark was our brother, and you are our sister, and you will always be a part of our family,” Marks said. “Let us remember today is a day of celebration. Mark would have it no other way.”
Elyria Fire Chief Rich Benton said Horton always made himself available regardless of time of day.
“Even after retiring, Mark was only a phone call away,” Benton said. “I don’t know if (Horton) had a voice mail. He always answered right away.”
In 2009 after Benton was promoted as chief, the recession hit and Elyria laid off 23 firefighters, he said. Through Horton’s connections, the city received its first Safer Grant, he said.
“It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and for that I will always be grateful,” Benton said. “Barb, I thank you for your support in sharing Mark with us.”
Proclamations were read on behalf of Sheffield Township trustee Chad Parsons, and Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda.
During a “raging house fire” on Allen Street in Elyria, Horton “unflinchingly”
braved the heat and uncertainty and “emerged with two children in tow,” according to an Elyria proclamation.
He was elected in 2015 as a Sheffield Township trustee. And in 2004 he was elected as secretary treasurer of Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters.
Sherrod Brown, senior United States Senator from Ohio, said Horton could be counted on.
“Mark Horton was a true American hero,” Brown said. “Just look at this crowd. I’ve known (Horton) for a couple decades. When I first decided to run for senate, he was right there. His sense of humor could bring any candidate back down to earth. He understood a union isn’t a card you clutch. It’s a community.”
When other citizens run from danger, Brown said, firefighters run toward it.
“We look to him with gratitude,” Brown said. “Despite all that, Mark had the joy of life. Mark and Barbara were always smiling, always enjoying each other. I didn’t know Mark before he met Barbara. But I suspect this joy might have come from having that perfect partner. Oh, how he loved you, Barbara. Most of all, we’re
grateful for the time Mark Douglas Horton walked among us.”
Harold A. Schaltberger, general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said he understands the loss of Horton.
When Schaltberger visited Ohio, Horton always showed up, he said.
“He was the type of leader who made sure every one of his people was taken care of before he thought of doing anything for himself,” Schaltberger said. “He always showed up despite the battle.”
Schaltberger and IAFF General Secretary Treasurer Edward Kelly presented an IAFF Medal of Honor to Barbara Horton.
Michael P. Taylor, president of Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters, said Horton gave him a firefighters’ welcome when he assumed the presidency.
Horton was committed to doing what he thought was right, Taylor said, “and moving him from that spot wasn’t an easy thing to do. Mark Horton was a special man, a strong leader, but most of all he was my great friend and brother, and I will miss him.”
Marks said the bell ceremony sounding the last
alarm is a 200-year-old tradition.
The bell signaled when a fire or emergency started, calling firefighters to action, and when it ended, he said.
And a bell signaled a firefighter’s passing, as the end of a brave soul’s round of duties, he said.
Horton selflessly served the city of Elyria, Marks said, “his task completed, his duties are done. Our brother Mark is going home,” he said.
After five volleys of three chimes with echoes, the crackle of a dispatcher radio announced Horton is responding on his last alarm.
“Station 1 acknowledge. Rest in peace, brother. Station 3 acknowledge. Rest in peace, brother. Station 4 acknowledge. Rest in peace, brother. Station 2 acknowledge. Rest in peace, brother.”
Gaye Jordan, 53, also a Dayton firefighter, said Horton could be counted on in a battle.
“I can say he was a great friend,” Jordan said. “Across the state; across the nation, we have all been on the front lines together. We’ve definitely been on the front lines of union work together. It’s a tragic loss. That sums it up.”