Media Release: Charlie Sullivan Memorial Service & Procession Route

Published on November 10, 2025

For Immediate Release: November 10, 2025

Memorial Service and Fire Apparatus Procession to Honor Firefighter Charlie Sullivan

Portage, MI – The community is invited to honor the life and service of Firefighter Charlie Sullivan at a memorial service and fire apparatus procession on Wednesday, November 12. The memorial service at Kalamazoo First Assembly of God begins at 11 a.m. and is open to the public.

Procession details

• Departure: Noon, Kalamazoo First Assembly of God, 5550 Oakland Dr., Portage, MI 49024

• Route: Southbound from the church, west on Romence Road, south on Moorsbridge Road, then west on Centre Ave. to the restaurant

• Conclusion: Fieldstone Grille, 3970 W Centre Ave., Portage, MI 49024

Members of the public are welcome to attend the memorial service and are encouraged to stand with Charlie’s family and fellow community members along the procession route to offer support and gratitude for his dedication and service. Please note the private wake at Fieldstone Grille is not open to the public.

Firefighter Charlie Sullivan served his community with unwavering dedication and a steady, compassionate spirit. A valued member of the department for 5 years, Charlie was known for his professionalism and commitment to helping others. His dedication, courage, and kindness left a lasting impact on the department and the community he served.

Your presence and support mean a great deal during this difficult time. Let us come together to celebrate Charlie’s life and the service he gave to our community.

Memories from Fellow Firefighters About Charlie:

Charlie had a well-earned reputation in the station kitchen for his adventurous approach to leftovers. That easygoing willingness to roll with the unexpected became part of how the crew remembers his humor and resilience.

Fellow firefighters recall Charlie as the calm center of the crew, someone they never once heard lose his temper. His consistent good humor wasn’t just personality, it was a gift to a team that relies on trust and composure.

Deputy Chief Eric Burghardt remembers a moment that captured Charlie’s character after a difficult call. "He always held himself accountable," Burghardt says. "Charlie listened, owned it, and improved. That integrity sets a standard for others." For colleagues, that quiet accountability was as meaningful as any act of courage on the scene.

Those who knew Charlie knew how deeply he cared for his life partner, Hadley Hill. In conversations with friends and family, Hadley’s name came up again and again as someone Charlie cherished.

Charlie had a soft spot for Tucker, the department’s four-legged mascot. More than once, he’d scoop the dog up and carry him around the station like a baby, to the amusement of everyone watching. Tucker trusted Charlie completely. That image, a grown firefighter cradling a dog, captured Charlie’s tender side and became an instant favorite memory among the crew.

A resident called to share a moment that speaks to Charlie’s instinct to help, even off duty. Her son fell and injured himself in the park behind the fire station and Charlie happened to be there doing paperwork. He jumped to help, and the mom noted how his calm care turned a frightening moment into something bearable. That story reinforced that Charlie’s service didn’t stop when his shift ended.

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About Oshtemo Charter Township:

Established in 1839, Oshtemo exists to advance the quality of life of all residents through a commitment to responsible growth and value-driven municipal services that promote the relationships among economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and social equity.

Editor’s Note: Twelve images are attached for your use, including:

Images of Charlie.

Oshtemo Township Fire Department Logo Color.

Procession Route Map

For more information, please contact:

Rich Blair, Media & Communications Manager, Oshtemo Township

rblair@oshtemo.org | 269.585.4154

Oshtemo Fire Department Logo