Gov. Wolf orders flags lowered for fallen Myerstown firefighter

James “Pud” Yiengst was 55 year volunteer firefighter for Keystone Hook & Ladder Fire. Co.

(Myerstown) — Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered the commonwealth flag to fly at half-staff on the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex in Harrisburg and throughout Lebanon County to honor fallen Myerstown firefighter James Yiengst.

Yiengst, a 55-year member of Keystone Hook & Ladder Fire Company No. 1, died on Saturday at the age of 72 in a line-of-duty death. Yiengst fell ill on Friday while responding to a crash that occurred about 5:15 p.m. at East Lincoln Avenue and North Railroad Street in Myerstown, according to the U.S. Fire Administration website, usfa.fema.gov.

On Saturday morning, an ambulance was summoned to his residence and he was taken to Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital, where he died later that day. The exact cause of death was not released. He was the 17th fire fighter this year to pass away from an in-line-of-duty-related death, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Yiengst, who was known to his friends as “Pud,” joined the Keystone Hook & Ladder Fire Co. on Aug. 3, 1961, a year before graduating from Myerstown High School. He worked for Bayer Corp. as a machinist for 40 years before retiring. He was preceded in death by his wife Rita A. (Kurtz) Yiengst. He is survived by a daughter, Michelle Poplaski, and son, Michael Yiengst, their spouses and several grandchildren.

Lebanon native Gregory Wentzel, 50, was honored Monday with full EMS honors following his funeral at St. Mary’s Church in Lebanon. Wentzel passed away suddenly March 7, 2017. Michael K. Dakota, Lebanon Daily News

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 12 p.m. at New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church, 430 E. Lincoln Ave., Myerstown. There will be viewings at the church on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m.