The Illinois House of Representatives took time to mourn the loss of a southern Illinois firefighter who was killed in the line of duty early Sunday morning.  Firefighter Kody Vanfossan died fighting a multi-alarm commercial fire in Christopher.  He’s the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in the modern history of the Christopher Fire Department.

State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) passed House Resolution 361 and spoke how the 24-year-old Vanfossen comes from a family with a deep tradition of public service.

According to Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, the funeral for Vanfossan will be held Friday at 11am in the Christopher High School Gym. Visitation will be Friday from 9-10:30am with a Firefighter Walkthrough at 10:45am. Burial will be at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.