BELFAST – The funeral service for Waldo County Deputy Sheriff Mark Schade, who died last week in a diving accident, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Belfast Armory.

Representatives of law enforcement from across New England are expected to attend the funeral. The Maine Sheriff’s Association color guard and Maine State Police Pipe and Drum Corps will lead the funeral procession into the Armory. The Waldo County Sheriff’s Department also will escort their fallen comrade.

A father of three and step-father of three, 42-year old Sgt. Mark Andrew “Schadey” Schade of Lincolnville was a 17-year veteran of the sheriff’s department. He died Thursday afternoon while diving in a private pond in Monroe on the property of county Sheriff Scott Story. Schade was off-duty at the time and helping Story install an aerator to supply the pond with oxygen.

Schade was diving alone at the time and had already brought the device to the surface and was returning it to pond when he disappeared from sight. Story was present during the dive and called for help when Schade failed to surface at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Schade was recovered from the pond by state police divers shortly before 7 p.m. and was pronounced dead at Eastern Maine Medical Center later that night. An autopsy was performed by the state medical examiner and the cause of death will be released today. Schade is presumed to have suffered a heart attack while diving.

“Mark was a good friend and a great co-worker,” Deputy Dale Brown said Sunday. “He was an unbelievable family man and will be missed by many. You couldn’t ask for a better guy to work with or to have as a friend. Just call, and he’d be there.”

Schade, who grew up in Hazelton, Pa., was born in Okinawa, Japan, on Aug. 20, 1965. He graduated from Unity College in 1989 with a degree in conservation law enforcement. He was hired by the sheriff’s department in 1992.

Schade held certifications in drug recognition, accident reconstruction, standardized field sobriety test instructor, skid car instructor and also was a certified scuba diver. While with the Waldo County Sheriff’s Department he was named Deputy of the Year in 2001.

Schade was known as a devoted husband, father and son, who loved not only his work but also spending time with his family, snowmobiling, hunting, scuba diving and camping.

Schade leaves his wife, Patricia “Tish” Shade, of Lincolnville and their six children; Hunter, Jack and Rebecca of Rockport and Chris, Alex and Max of Lincolnville.

He was predeceased by his father, John F. Schade, in 1997. He is survived by his mother, Jerilyn of Sugarloaf, Pa.; brother Christopher Schade, of Logan, Utah; sister Heather and her husband, Michael McKeown, of Wexford, Pa.; and in-laws Richard “Dick” and Jackie Marriner, of Swanville, Leonard and Christine Knowlton, of Liberty and several nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Tuesday’s memorial service will be conducted by Chaplains Don Williams and Warren Doersam. After the service there will be a gathering at the Belfast Boat House.

In lieu of flowers donations for his children may be sent to Waldo County Deputy Association, care of Keyes Fibre Credit Union, Waldo Avenue, Belfast 04915.