Dave McNally was everywhere in town -- at his morning coffee club, at his son's games, at church or sometimes just putzing around the high school, looking for something to fix.
An assistant fire chief for the Keokuk Fire Department, McNally gave his time freely to this close-knit river town. On Wednesday, he and two other firefighters gave their lives trying to save a mother and four children in their burning duplex.
The fire, just three days before Christmas, also killed infant twins and a young girl and cast a pall over the city. Flags at the fire station were at half-staff and a long, black sash hung over the middle of three bay doors in honor of McNally, 48, and firefighters Jason Bitting, 29, and Nate Tuck, 39.
An assistant fire chief for the Keokuk Fire Department, McNally gave his time freely to this close-knit river town. On Wednesday, he and two other firefighters gave their lives trying to save a mother and four children in their burning duplex.
The fire, just three days before Christmas, also killed infant twins and a young girl and cast a pall over the city. Flags at the fire station were at half-staff and a long, black sash hung over the middle of three bay doors in honor of McNally, 48, and firefighters Jason Bitting, 29, and Nate Tuck, 39.
