VIDEO: A former chief for the Chippewa Fire District, and former Lake Hallie Village Board President, John Neihart passed away Sunday after a brief battle with cancer. The Chippewa Fire District shared the news on its Facebook page Sunday. In the post, the Fire District thanked Neihart for everything he's given to the fire service and all the firefighters he has touched. 'We have the watch from here,' the post said. According to a CaringBridge journal online, Neihart passed away at home Sunday afternoon after a two-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Neihart was appointed Chippewa Fire District Chief in February of 1988 and served until his 2010 retirement. He also served as the Lake Hallie Village Board President from 2011 until 2015.