Carl Leon Myrick, formerly of Syracuse and Lake Wawasee, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016, at Goshen IU Hospital.

Carl was born in Fairmount, Ill. on May 11, 1927, to Ica (Byrd) and Lester Myrick. After serving in the United States Army, Carl came to Syracuse, the home of several of his Byrd relatives. He was a lifelong employee of the Dana Corporation (formerly Weatherhead). In fact, during the early 1950’s he helped build the Syracuse plant.

A dedicated public servant, Carl served on the Syracuse Fire Department from 1958 to 1975 as a volunteer firefighter. He held the office of Assistant Chief. When a fire call came in over the receiver at home Carl would run to the fire station, just one block away. He was often one of the first to arrive. Honored at being able to help people, he was devastated at the loss of life which he sometimes witnessed up close.

After retiring from the fire department he served as the liaison between the town and the department and was instrumental in establishing a second fire station for the Turkey Creek Fire Territory at the south end of Lake Wawasee. Carl also served as the liaison officer for the Syracuse Police Department.

Carl was elected to the Syracuse Town Board for several terms during which he served some years as president. During his tenure, he headed the building of a new town hall and the construction of the new sewage plant.

Carl was a member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge.

In 1962 Carl married Susan Kroh Coy. She survives. He is also survived by two stepdaughters: Amy Coy (Ryan) Matherly, Elkhart; and Sarah Ann Coy, Rock Hill, S.C.; and one daughter: Cynthia Myrick (Dov) Rosenburg, Longwood, Fla. Carl’s great delight were his grandchildren: Ben (Gina) Matherly; and Kelly Matherly (Greg) Shewmaker, both of Fishers; Andrew Rosenburg, Tallahassee, Fla.; and Molly Margaret Rosenburg, Longwood, Fla. He also had a special place in his heart for his great-grandchildren: Gia and Graham Matherly; Eulah and Finley Shewmaker. He is also survived by his sister: Barbara Myrick Biggerstaff; his brother: Gayle Myrick. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Dorothy Dausman; and Doris Harmon; and brother: Bill Myrick.

He was proud of his girls, proud of his town and especially proud of the Syracuse Fire Department. Carl always gave his best and taught us to do the same.

A graveside military service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Syracuse Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to join a procession which will begin at the Eastlund Funeral Home at 12:30 p.m. Following the service the family will host a reception at the Syracuse Community Center, Syracuse.