Mark A. Kincaid

Mark A. Kincaid Mark A. Kincaid, age 53, retired Battle Creek Fire Department Battalion Chief , and Deputy Director of Public Safety for Fire Services for the city of Muskegon, died at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence on Friday, December 31, 2009. Mark was born June 23, 1956 in Battle Creek to F. Allen and Kathleen A. (Lampman) Kincaid. He graduated from Lakeview High School in 1974. While in 10th grade Mark attended a Demolay and Rainbow Chapter dance with friends. There he met Cynthia Herwarth. Let's just say, they didn't hit it off! Later in life Cindy's sister Lynn arranged a blind date for her with a man that Lynn worked with at the post office. It was Mark. That evening went much better and the couple fell in love and were married on May 5, 1979. Mark began his career in the fire service with the Battle Creek Township Fire Department as a volunteer at the age of 16, even though they thought he was 18 (Mark was always a big boy). Mark became a professional firefighter with the Battle Creek Fire Department in 1978. He completed Michigan Firefighters Training Council Firefighter I & II classes, Fire Officer Training classes and was a Hazardous Materials Specialist. Mark served on the department's Hazardous Materials Team. He attended Kellogg Community College and completed his Associates Degree In Fire Science. He worked his way through the ranks of the Battle Creek Fire Department earning promotions to Lieutenant, Captain and then Battalion Chief. He retired after 26 years. Upon retirement he was hired as the Deputy Public Safety Director for Fire Services for Muskegon in 2004. While there he was responsible for the building of a badly needed new Central Fire Station from inception to completion. He replaced 3 outdated pieces of fire apparatus all completed to budget. Mark served in this position until May 14, 2009. Mark was a member of the Western Michigan Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of FireFighters, serving as Vice President of the Battle Creek Local . He was very active in Battle Creek Masonic orders including the Demolay and the Bedford Masonic Lodge. He was the Master Councilor of the State of Michigan Demolay Chapter. He was an avid Redwing Hockey fan. Mark loved his cars, particularly a 1970 Superbird Limited Edition, a 1971 Barracuda and a jeep. He sold all those cars to make a down payment on Cindy's and his first home. Mark used to tell Cindy that he liked his girl but loved his cars but liked to tell anyone that listened that he got the better end of the deal with Cindy! Mark was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and son who loved any time with his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife Cindy, daughters Natalie N. (Chris) Presley of South Whitley, IN, and Amanda L. (Chris) Case of Charlotte; 4 grandchildren Michael C. Case, Zachary A. Case, Alex Mark Case, and Ellen M.K. Presley; his mother Kathleen A. Kincaid of Kingwood, Texas; 2 sisters Laura Kincaid of Antioch, IL and Julie (Mark) Rice of Pickerington, OH; father-in-law Robert L. (Isabella) Herwarth of Battle Creek; sister-in-law Lynn (Dan) Barnes; and brothers-in-law Ric (Rusty) Herwarth , Jim (Debbie) Herwarth, Bob (Hope) Herwarth; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father F. Allen Kincaid and mother-in-law Ellen C. Herwarth. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 723 US 27 North, Marshall on Monday January 4 from 2p.m. to 9p.m. with family present from 2p.m.-4p.m. and 6p.m.-8p.m. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday Jan. 5, at 11a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. James Codde officiating. The Battle Creek Fire Department Honor Guard will conduct fire department honors. Interment will follow in Newbre Cemetery. A fellowship will follow at the funeral home's Reception Hall. Friends who wish to may make a memorial contribution to the Mark Kincaid Benefit Fund at all Fifth Third Bank Locations or at the funeral home. To sign the on line guest register and leave a message on Mark's wall on his memorial web site visit www.kempffuneralhome.com.