09/20/2026
LAKEWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT
Office of the Chief of Department
To Chief John Keating, the Keating Family, and the Members of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company:
On behalf of the Lakewood Fire Department, I extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences on the tragic passing of Ursula Keating.
The bond between neighboring departments extends far beyond shared radio frequencies and mutual aid responses; it is grounded in family, service, and the quiet sacrifices made on the home front. Spouses carry the weight of late-night calls, missed milestones, and the inherent worries of our profession with extraordinary grace and strength. Ursula was an enduring pillar of that devotion, standing faithfully beside Chief Keating throughout his years of leadership and service to the Silverton community. Her loss leaves a profound void not only within her family, but throughout our entire local fire service brotherhood.
John, as you navigate this devastating loss, please know that you do not walk this path alone. The officers, career staff, and volunteers of the Lakewood Fire Department stand squarely with you, your family, and our brothers and sisters in Silverton. We are prepared to assist in any manner necessary—whether covering district assignments, providing logistical support, or offering a steady shoulder to lean on during the difficult days ahead.
May Ursula rest in eternal peace, and may you and your loved ones find comfort in the legacy of love, strength, and community she leaves behind.
Fraternally and with deepest sympathy,
Jonathan Yahr
Chief of Department
Lakewood Fire Department
