ASHLAND — Local volunteer firefighter and EMS captain Ethan Stadler, 23, died Sunday after being thrown from a motorcycle in Ashland County.
Stadler, who lived in Polk, was westbound on County Road 1302 at 12:44 p.m. on Sunday when he veered off the roadway and hit a traffic sign before being ejected from his motorcycle, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Stadler was wearing a helmet at the time, and drugs and alcohol are not considered a factor in the crash, the OSHP added.
Stadler had been a volunteer firefighter since December 2019 when he joined the Polk Jackson Perry Fire District. In February, he was promoted to EMS Captain after completing his paramedic certification, according to a statement from the Polk Jackson Perry Fire District.
Stadler was also a volunteer firefighter and paramedic with the Jeromesville Community Fire District and the Green-Perrysville Joint Fire District.
“Ethan will be missed by all and we ask that you keep your thoughts and prayers with his family and friends,” the Polk Jackson Perry Fire District said in a statement.
Ethan had wanted to serve his community since he was a child, and he accomplished that not only by being a firefighter, but also by serving in the military, his mother LeAnne Stadler said.
“He loved his family and friends and he loved the departments that he worked for. He loved what he did, he loved serving his community. He had great plans ahead for things. We, as a a family, are taking solace in the fact that we know he’s with his savior,” Stadler said.
Following the announcement of Stadler’s death, there was a significant outpouring of support and condolences for Stadler on social media.
Community members and colleagues left hundreds of Facebook comments and a few posts sharing memories of Stadler and praying for his family.
“He was one of the most genuine, thoughtful, and caring people you could’ve been blessed to meet in life. He served all three communities with pride, honor, and commitment. We will be forever grateful for his service,” the Green-Perrysville Joint Fire District wrote in a Facebook comment.
“Ethan was a great friend and dedicated fireman. He loved helping people in the communities he served. Smart medic and aggressive firefighter. Always had a level head and calm demeanor. He was extremely nice and accepting to everyone he met,” Wooster Firefighter Garrett Cellar wrote on Facebook.
Ethan Stadler will be escorted back to Fickes Funeral Home in Ashland by local firefighters and first responders on Oct. 5 at around 2 p.m. The funeral home will also host calling hours on Oct. 7 at 5 p.m.
Stadler’s funeral service will be on Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. at Calvalry Baptist Church. Following the service, a funeral procession will proceed south on US-42 from Davis Road to US-250 East to Rowsburg Cemetery.
There, a final graveside service will be held before adjourning to the Jeromesville Fire Department for food and refreshments, according to a press release from the Polk Jackson Perry Fire District.
