ZEBA – Rainy weather gave way to sunshine Wednesday when friends and family of Alan John “AJ” Swartz gathered for the 25-year-old firefighter’s funeral at Zeba Hall.

Fire department personnel came up two by two to silently salute AJ, who lay in an open, flag-draped casket.

“AJ thrived on adventure and risk; always looking for a taller tree to climb,” said Rev. Steve Rhoades, adding much to his mother’s frustration, he taught his brothers to do the same. “AJ enjoyed anything outdoors, including fishing, snowmobiling, camping and hunting. He loved working on anything mechanical, especially his four-wheeler.

“AJ is survived by his loving family, mother Maureen Van Abel of L’Anse, father David Alan “Lebs” Swartz of L’Anse, sons Alan J. Swartz, Jr., Liam Swartz, and Anthony Swartz, step children Destin Gauthier and Aleeha Gauthier, girlfriend Heather Gauthier of Baraga, brothers Kris Swartz of Baraga, Kyle Swartz of L’Anse, David Swartz of Baraga and Cale Swartz of L’Anse, grandmother Patricia Van Abel of L’Anse, grandfather John Van Abel of Calumet, nieces and nephews Kyleigh Swartz, Payten Swartz, Deklin Swartz and Kristian Swartz,” Rhoades said. “Several aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ellen Swartz and Wayne Swartz, his uncle Scott Van Abel and his aunt Stephanie Swartz.”

Swartz was a member of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Beartown Firefighters and died Saturday in a tragic accident near Minneapolis en route to fight the Box Canyon Fire in Utah.

A native drum circle, including Councilmen RD Curtis and Donny Shalifoe, Paul Halverson and a Beartown firefighter, provided traditional music at various intervals, like when President Chris Swartz and another tribal member danced to the beat on either side of the casket, each holding eagle staffs.

Chris explained one of the staffs was a journey staff, in reference to the native belief the dead spend several days traveling before joining the ancestors the spirit world.

“Hopefully we’ll never need it again,” he said, raising the staff. “Obviously the man upstairs had a plan for him. We’re all here to show that well-deserved respect for him.”

Chris pointed out a helmet worn by one of the firemen and a bag of dirt collected at the accident scene amid myriad flower arrangements and plants near the casket.

“Each flag in that dirt represents a fireman,” Chris said. “We’re very proud of our firemen. There’s a huge amount of support in Minnesota, in Wisconsin and in the state of Michigan.”

Other council members choked up as they addressed AJ’s family.

“It was very, very overwhelming,” Curtis said, of the support he and Councilman Eddy Edwards witnessed as part of the procession that carried AJ and James “Jimmy” Shelifoe home from Minneapolis Tuesday. “All the support – a lot of respect.”

Edwards said, “We’re honored to bring your family home.”

Shalifoe delivered a message in Ojibwa, “the language of the firefighters,” he said. “Thank you Beartown firefighters. Ah ho, miigwetch.”

Council Secretary Susan LaFernier presented the family with a KBIC plaque, before Treasurer Doreen Blaker, a Beartown firefighter herself, took the microphone.

“AJ and Jimmy both started firefighting together,” she said, having checked Beartown records. “They were on every single tour together. They’re going to be watching over that fire crew.”

Vice-President Jennifer Misegan said while AJ was not a tribal member, “he was part of our community. We’re going to be here to support you. We’re going to be here for the long haul.”