Community Raising Funds for Family of Fallen Westland Firefighter

Area businesses and fire departments across southeast Michigan are rallying together to help the family of Brian Woehlke, a 29-year-old Dearborn resident who died in the line of duty on May 8.

Woehlke, the Wayne-Westland firefighter who died when a roof collapsed during a strip mall blaze in Westland, leaves behind Jennifer, his wife of four years, and his 13-month-old daughter Ava.

A trust fund has been established for Ava Woehlke. The public can contribute, by mailing checks to the Westland Firefighters Charity, PO Box 851320, Westland, Michigan 48185. 

Other opportunities to help out include:

• Vizzy’s Pizza Palace, 35925 Ford Road in Westland. The restaurant is collecting donations of non-perishable unopened snacks, chips, baked goods, and/or bottle water for Woehlke's funeral viewing. Paper products, such as plates, utensils, and/or napkins are also needed. Donations can be dropped off during normal business hours on Friday (10:30 a.m. to midnight) and Saturday (11 a.m. to midnight).
• The Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive has donated $5,000 to the Woehlke family. To contribute to the donation, call Station 1 at 313-943-3034.

A visitation for Woehlke will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 34567 Michigan in Wayne.

The funeral mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the Church of the Divine Child, 1055 N. Silvery Lane in Dearborn.

A formal firefighter procession will follow at St. Hedwigs Cemetery, 23755 Military in Dearborn.

Do you know of a fundraiser for the Woehlke family? Leave us a comment or post it in our calendar of events.