Funeral Friday for Chicago Firefighter Jermaine Pelt

Following a spirited funeral service at House of Hope church in Pullman, pallbearers carried fallen firefighter Jermaine Pelt's casket, draped in the Chicago flag, to a waiting fire engine to be taken to Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island.

CBS 2's Kris Habermehl, a firefighter himself, described the funeral as a hopeful service.

Pastor Newton Pelt, a cousin of Pelt's, delivered the eulogy, saying "we're just so grateful for everything we have been a part of, you allowed us to be a part of, because of my cousin."

"I'm overwhelmed with the love that I feel, and the joy that has been displayed here today," he said.

Pastor Pelt said his cousin has been "a display of the love that God has bestowed upon us."

"He's been a great example of the word of God that has lived through him," he said.

Recalling that Jermaine would always tell people "it's going to be alright," no matter what was happening in their life, Pastor Pelt shared that same message with mourners at the funeral.

"We're not in despair today. We're not going through this today as someone that didn't have any hope. We've got hope today. We've got hope beyond the grave," he said. "When you leave here today, you've only got one shot at this. Jermaine took his shot, and I want to tell you, he's my hero today."

Pelt's father, John, a retired CTA motorman, said he used to take Jermaine with him to work, because he didn't have a babysitter.

Before becoming a firefighter, Pelt also worked for the CTA in the summer while he was in school.

John also recalled giving his son advice when he faced a choice between becoming a police officer or firefighter.

"I said I would pick the Fire Department, because I think it was the lesser of two evils, but both of those jobs are very dangerous. What would you do if you didn't have firemen and police? What would you do? You'd probably be burned up by now," he said.

Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt called Pelt "a beloved son, a brother, a father, and a friend."

"He humbly served the people of the South Side of Chicago during his 18-year career," she said.

Nance-Holt recalled telling new firefighters and paramedic never to take the job home with them.

"Honestly, after this past week, that's a lot easier said than done. That's hard," she said, referring to the Fire Department losing both Pelt and Lt. Jan Tchoryk in two consecutive days last week.

The commissioner also recalled Pelt's "legendary" cooking skills.

"Many can attest to the feeling that the best meals are made in Chicago firehouses. I tell you, go check them out. None of us are too skinny," she said. "Jermaine possessed a special talent when it came to the kitchen. There are firehouse cooks and then there is Jermaine."

Nance-Holt said his daughters described his cooking as his "love language."

"Jermaine was in his element when he was hosting others, and that speaks to his heart," she said.

Nance-Holt also recalled the story of Pelt using his own money to buy essential items for a patient in a special care facility, after learning about them from a friend, even though he'd never met that patient.

"If you ask me, we could all afford to be a little more like Jermaine these days," she said.

Nance-Holt said the Chicago Fire Department will always remember him as a brother, a quality man, and a firefighter who displayed bravery until the very end.

"As much as we mourn Jermaine's passing, we must never forget to honor his life by continuing to be an example of selfless love," she said.

Tommie Triplett, president of the Corliss class of 1992 alumni group, said Pelt was the fourth member of their class to die this year.

Noting the dash printed on Pelt's obituary between the day Pelt was born and the day he died, Triplett said "Pelt lived his dash. Pelt was an amazing guy."

Noting Pelt was not only a firefighter, but a nurse, Triplett said, "We as the Corliss alumni, just thank God for our hero."

David Jackson, who has been friends with Pelt since the second grade, read a resolution on behalf of the Corliss class of 1992, saying Pelt was a "pillar in his community."

"Jermaine showed love, devotion, and loyalty to his school and classmates," Jackson said. "Always the protector and peacemaker; dedicated and loving son, father, brother and friend."

"Jermaine had a heart of gold, with the most beautiful spirit to match. He was truly appreciated, and will be greatly missed," Jackson added. "We cannot replace our beloved classmate, but we will always love, cherish, and remember him fondly."

Tammy, a Corliss High School classmate, one of Pelt's best friends, said when she moved, he just showed up without asking to help her, even though she'd hired movers, telling her "I came just in case."

"That was Jermaine. He was there just in case. He didn't miss the opportunity to have a good time either," she said.

Tammy said their friends and families "all just became one big loving group of people that were always looking to find ways to love each other, and Jermaine definitely led the pack with that."

She said one of the things she loved most about him was he was always trying to do better, like trying to help others live healthier lives.

"As long as you really are doing better each day, we headed in the right direction," she said.

Chris Murray, another longtime friend, said the one thing he remembers most about Pelt was "he did the right thing."

"If you wanted to be a part of his life, you had to be doing something right in yours," he said.

Recalling playing cards and watching sports with Pelt, Murray choked back tears as he said, "I love you, brother. Thank you."

Pelt's aunts, Vern Moore and Velma Genus, were the first members of his family to offer remarks at his funeral.

"We have shared so many precious happy moments over the years. Our cup of joy runneth over, and those precious moments are gifts from God I know death cannot and will not take away from us. Those will remain with us forever," Genus said. "Nephew, I'm here. You are my hero in every meaning of the word. We love you, and see you on the other side."

Moore said everyone who knew Pelt knew him as loving, joyous, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, and gentle.

"He loves selflessly. He's so giving. And when the fruit of the spirit is displayed in our lives, it is a sign or a result of being led by the spirit of God. The evidence of being connected to Christ, and I believe that's where Jermaine is right now," she said. "I thank all of you for loving him the way that we loved him too."

CBS 2's Kris Habermehl, a firefighter himself, shares his reflections as the funeral for fallen Chicago firefighter Jermaine Pelt is set to begin Friday morning.

Thousands of people packed House of Hope church to pay their last respects to fallen Chicago firefighter Jermaine Pelt, who died in the line of duty while battling a fire in West Pullman last week.

A second visitation was held for Pelt at the church Friday morning, following a memorial on Thursday at Blake Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn.

CBS 2's Mugo Odigwe has spent the morning outside the church, in an emotional day for mourners remembering a man they said was dedicated to his family and his job as a firefighter.

Pelt had recently walked his daughter, Jorie, down the aisle at her wedding. In the program for his funeral, she wrote "I know I can't be with you know. And you can't be with me. But safe inside my heart you'll stay. That's where you'll always be."

The nine-mile journey from Blake-Lamb Funeral Home to House of Hope Church drew to a close shortly after 10 a.m., as a fire engine carried fallen firefighter Jermaine Pelt's casket to the church.

Hundreds of firefighters and fire academy candidates in dress uniform saluted Pelt's body as it arrived at the church, as two tower ladder trucks hoisted an American flag in his honor, and bagpipes played "Balmoral," a traditional funeral march for fallen firefighters and police officers.

"We miss you, we love you, and we will see you again soon," CBS 2's Kris Habermehl, a firefighter himself, said as pallbearers carried Pelt's casket into the church. 

Pelt's funeral will begin around 11 a.m.

CBS 2's Mugo Odigwe is reporting live outside House of Hope where preparations are underway for the funeral service. 

The procession has started and it will end at House of Hope. 

It's a tough day for the Chicago Fire Department, as for the second day in a row, firefighters are gathering to say their final goodbyes to a fallen brother, at the funeral for firefighter Jermaine Pelt, who died last week. 

CBS 2's Kris Habermehl, a firefighter himself, has more from the procession carrying Pelt's casket from the funeral home to House of Hope church.

Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt will offer a tribute to fallen Firefighter Jermaine Pelt at his funeral, along with Pelt's father, two former high school classmates, and others. Pastor Newton Pelt Jr. will deliver the eulogy.

A procession from the funeral home to House of Hope church in the Pullman neighborhood will begin around 9 a.m. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m.