David Andrew Behme, 57, of Litchfield, died at 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, in St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.

Visitation was held on Friday, Sept. 9, from 3 to 8 p.m. in Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, with the Rev. Ryan Ritzmann officiating.

Mr. Behme was born on Dec. 14, 1953, in Carlinville, a son of Floyd Andrew and Joyce Darlene (French) Behme. He graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1971, and later attended Lincoln Land Community College, the Illinois Fire Service Institute at the University of Illinois and additional training programs. He married Theresa Ann Poppenhouse on Jan. 27, 1984, in Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and she survives.

Mr. Behme began his career with the Carlinville Ambulance Service and was later employed by the city of Litchfield as a firefighter and EMT-A. He joined the rescue squad soon after joining the department and became an official member of the firefighter volunteers three years later.

In 1986, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and retired on May 28, 2004. He also worked part-time as a truck driver for Greenwalt Farms in Carlinville.

He helped organize the Montgomery County CPR Association, where he served as the first president and an instructor. He also received recognition from the Missouri Park District, St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield and Dr. D. Ross Billiter for saving lives.

A member of the Litchfield Moose Lodge 1634, Mr. Behme was also a member of 3-M Firefighters Association and Firefighters Local 3252 in Litchfield, as well as Litchfield Bass Anglers. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and canoeing.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his father and stepmother, Floyd and Judy A. Behme of Carlinville; his mother-in-law, Marvella Mierkowski; a daughter, Elizabeth (husband Bryan) Lusk of Litchfield; two brothers, Daniel (wife Lynn) Behme of Litchfield and Darren (wife Renee) Behme of Carlinville; four nephews, Dwight and Dusten Behme, Caleb Behme, and Ben Bowles; and a niece, Katie Bowles.

He was preceded in death by his mother and a nephew, Jacob Behme.