Big crowds are expected Thursday and Friday in Ellison Bay, where visitation and funeral services will be held for former Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Chief Chris Hecht.

Celebrations of life for Hecht come more than a week after he died from complications stemming from a ruptured brain aneurysm. He suffered the aneurysm while attending a fire conference in Indianapolis last spring.

Services will take place at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 to 10:45 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m.

The Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department released additional details about parking for those attending. Due to the large crowds expected, parking will be available in the church lot and across the street at the Liberty Grove Historical Society.

Because of cold temperatures, shuttle buses will transport attendees across the street to the church.

Area fire departments will also participate in a procession to honor Hecht’s service to the community, which included 33 years with the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department.

Participating departments are encouraged to line up apparatus on Humbug Road, entering from Highway 42 directly north of the church entrance. Additional apparatus may line up on Hanson Drive as overflow.

More details about the visitation and funeral service are available below.