Larndo "Tunie" Hedrick

Fire Chief Larndo "Tunie" Hedrick, 58, of 690 Brawley Ave., Meadville, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at Meadville Medical Center.

Tunie was born in Meadville on September 24, 1956.

On December 26, 1998, Tunie married Maureen K. Palka; she survives.

He was an active member of Living Waters Church where he served on the Worship Team.

On January 12, 1982 Tunie became a firefighter for the city of Meadville and on August 23, 1993, he was named Fire Chief. In 1994 he was recognized for Outstanding Performance for the City of Meadville. Chief Hedrick earned more than 140 Certificates of Completion for specialized instruction and training from nearly 20 entities, including the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, Pennsylvania's Governor's Center for Local Government Services, Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner, the Federal Emergency Management Institute as well as from numerous colleges and universities. Additionally, Tunie was a Fire Service Instructor, Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator with the National Association of Fire Investigators, an Instructor in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care, an EMT-Paramedic and a Pennsylvania Building Code Official. He was widely respected throughout the state for both his fire investigation and his department management skills.

A graduate of Meadville High School, Tunie was a member of the Marching Band where he was one of the most talented drummers, gifted with rhythm and an understanding of music. Born and raised by his grandparents in Meadville, Tunie spent many of his younger days hanging out with neighborhood friends on Market, Poplar, Water and Willow Streets.

Tunie was a member of the YMCA Board of Directors where he was former Chairman. He was also a former member of the Meadville Kiwanis. He held a First-Degree Black belt in Kune-tao, had a passion for riding his motorcycle, enjoyed singing, and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Tunie will be sadly missed by all who knew him and his will be large boots to fill.

In addition to his wife, Maureen, Tunie is survived by four children Brandon Michael Hedrick, Carrie L. Soerensen both of Meadville, US Navy Chief Petty Officer Christopher F. Coufalik of Honolulu, Hawaii, Francis Paul Coufalik and his wife Jeanne of Nanticoke, six grandchildren, Carlissa Talbott, Kai Sorensen, Mia Soerensen, Luc Soerensen, Abigail Coufalik, Autumn Coufalik and a sister Phyllis Polk of Elizabethtown, NJ.

Tunie was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Scott and Bertha Jenkins whom he dearly loved and raised him as their own and a sister Diane Hedrick.

Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday from 5-7, Friday from 3-7 and Saturday from 10-11 at New Beginnings Church of God, 13226 Leslie Rd., Meadville, where Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM with Ray Martinez, Pastor of Living Waters Church, officiating.

Tunie will be laid to rest in Greendale Cemetery, West Mead Twp.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to Living Waters Church, PO Box 1446, or "In Memory of Larndo Tunie Hedrick" c/o Erie Bank, 885 Park Ave., both in Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville.

Share your condolences at www.miznerfuneralhome.com