Prospect VFD chief Ken Wilson dies after battle with cancer
Ken Wilson, the assistant chief of Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, died at around 4 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August. He was 51.
Mark Lauer, president of the Karns City Regional Ambulance Service and longtime friend of Wilson, said Wilson’s death will be a huge loss to his community, and everyone who knew him.
“I lost a very good friend, one of my best friends ever,” Lauer said. “It's definitely a sad day in Prospect. He was a great man — loved kids, loved his community — just a good dude. The world could use a few more of him.”
Wilson worked with the Prospect fire department for more than 33 years, and was described as a jokester who was always making the people around him laugh. According to Lauer, that humor never left Wilson, even when he was in treatment for cancer.
“When he was in the hospital a couple times we shed some tears, we shed some together,” Lauer said. “But he still had his easy-go-lucky spirit, even up to the end.”
On Nov. 4, other first responders, including Lauer, hosted a spaghetti meal fundraiser for Wilson, where organizers expected to sell at least 1,000 dinners. Wilson was able to see the dinner via a livestream, according to organizers.
Lauer said he didn’t want to reveal how much money the dinner raised, but that it was given to Wilson’s wife to help cover his medical bills and some funeral expenses.
Todd Hinkle, Wilson’s brother-in-law and assistant fire chief of Portersville VFD, said at the fundraiser that everyone was fighting to help Wilson, who never asked for help.
“This is very emotional for us,” Hinkle said. “We don’t ask for help for ourselves. We never do. We have to do this for somebody who’s never asked for help and we just love him so much.”
Lauer said he will remember Wilson for being “larger than life.”
“He loved to have fun, enjoyed helping people, was very enthusiastic about his community and making it shine,” he said.
