August 24, 2004

Funeral held for former firefighter

       Funeral services were held today for former White River Township firefighter Kerry S. Bancroft.  Bancroft, 37, died last week from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on the Indianapolis Southside.

Kerry was a part-time firefighter for the White River Township Fire Department from 1997 to 1999.  He was also a previous member of the fire department's Cadet Program in the early 1980's where his interest in the fire department was sparked.   Kerry hails from a family rich in dedication to emergency services.  His father, Dale, still works as a paramedic and has been certified nearly since the creation of the paramedic program in Indiana.  His brother, Devon, recently was hired as a full-time engineer for the White River Township Fire Department and is currently in paramedic school.  After leaving the fire department, Kerry then went on to become a paramedic and eventually work for the Wayne Township Fire Department and the burn unit at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis.

The funeral service, which began at 11am at the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Wayne Township, was followed by a precession of over one hundred vehicles.  The precession passed by Wishard Hospital where hundreds of hospital employees stood on the curb to pay their last respects.  The precession then returned to the church for a final blessing and committal before concluding.

Kerry is survived by his wife, three children, four siblings, his father and stepmother, and two grandparents.

The family requests that no flowers be sent.   Instead, contributions can be made to the Bancroft Memorial College Fund for his children at the following location:

Indiana Members Credit Union
      1-800-556-9268
 

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