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Irvington Fire Department's training officer was 'all in' for community

In a life cut too short, 41-year-old Mark Hulbert was all in at work, on the Irvington Volunteer Fire Department and with family.

In 12 years with Irvington, Hulbert responded to 3,656 emergency calls and was three times named the firefighter of the year. For the past two years, he was the department’s training officer.

“We’re going to miss everything he did, because he was always all in with everything we did,” Fire Chief Nolan Paulson said. “If someone had a problem or had a training question, he would drop whatever he was doing to help.”

Hulbert died Monday from pancreatic cancer, said his brother, Lee Hulbert of Omaha. Members of the Irvington department and firefighters from several surrounding communities formed a procession to escort his body from Methodist Hospital at 84th and Dodge Streets to the Forest Lawn Funeral Home at 7909 Mormon Bridge Road.

“There were a lot of people lining the route, too,” his brother said. “It was a very nice thing for them to do.”

Paulson said Hulbert exemplified the community spirit of volunteer firefighters. In addition to being the training officer, he was always on hand for the department with its honor guard, driving trucks in parades, handing out Halloween candy, staffing summer hydrant parties or helping to display 9/11 artifacts from the World Trade Center.

“He was a very active member,” Paulson said. “We can’t begin to count up all the hours he devoted to the community.”

Hulbert grew up in western Douglas County but graduated from Arlington High School in 1999, his brother said. He was a very good athlete, his brother said, especially in football and soccer.

After high school, Hulbert attended a trade school and went to work in 2005 for the Waldinger Corp., a mechanical contracting company. He worked his way up to become an estimator on projects, his brother said.

“He was very good with his hands, doing woodworking and metal welding,” his brother said. “Mark was really good with specialty items and very creative.”

An avid outdoorsman, Hulbert enjoyed deer hunting and had an extensive gun collection. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle or going four-wheeling when he wanted to clear his head.

“At get-togethers, he would always put a smile on your face,” Lee Hulbert said. “If you didn’t have a good time being around him, there might be something wrong with you. He had a great sense of humor and loved to play pranks.”

In addition to his brother, survivors include his mother, Cynthia Paddock of Omaha; sister, Sheri Keller of Oklahoma City; and girlfriend, Tracy Lane Thomas of Omaha.

Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 8200 N. 30th St., in Omaha.

#2-Published in the Blair Enterprise Feb. 25, 2022

Mark Anthony Hulbert, age 41, the son of Kip Hulbert and Cynthia Paddock, was born July 23, 1980, in Omaha. He passed away Feb. 21, 2022 in Omaha.

Survived by mother, Cindy Paddock (Doug); sister, Sheri Keller; brother, Lee Hulbert (Melissa); girlfriend, Tracy Lane Thomas; aunt, Dawn Hulbert; two nieces and four nephews. Preceded by father, Kip Hulbert.

Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 6 p.m. service, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Service at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 8200 N. 30th St., Omaha, NE 68112. Burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 7909 Mormon Bridge Road Omaha, NE 68152, 402-451-1000

#3 Funeral leaflet

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Celebrating the Life of Mark A. Hulbert

Visitation 5-7pm Friday, February 25, 2022 Forest Lawn Funeral Home

Service 10am Saturday, February 26, 2022 St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Officiant: Deacon Brendan Kelly. Eulogist: Gavin Johnson. Musician: Drew Neneman.

Pallbearers: Nolan Paulson, Ryan Primeau, Brandon Frolio, Charles Novotny, scott Frolio, Sam Hogberg

Final Place of Rest: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska

Please join Mark's family for a time of food and fellowship immediately following the committal service, at Irvington Volunteer Fire Department, 9111 Fremont Street, Omaha, NE 68122

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #236978052