Firefighters bid farewell to fallen brother

NORWALK — The city of Norwalk will bid farewell with a heavy heart Tuesday to fallen Tiffin firefighter Sean Tyler. Originally from Norwalk, Tyler is a 2003 graduate of St. Paul High School. Tyler, who had worked as a firefighter from 2007-19, had been forced to retire, battling a type of cancer he contracted in the line of duty. The fourth-generation firefighter was born to John "Jack" and Susan (Eggleston) Tyler in Elyria on July 6, 1984, and married his wife, Ashley (Hill) at St. Paul. She and their three children, Paxton Robert Tyler, 8; Oakley Lyn Tyler, 7; and Hudson James Tyler; 5, survive. Tuesday's memorial will include departmental tributes and the Norwalk, Bellevue and numerous other surrounding and out-of-town fire departments will assist their brethren in laying to rest one of their own. A contingent of 30-to-40 fire apparatus and other safety service vehicles from the surrounding area and all around the state are expected to participate in Tyler's funeral procession, according to Dan Strayer, assistant chief of the Norwalk Fire Department. "That number could go up," Strayer said. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday St. Paul Catholic Church, with Tiffin firefighters, acting as pallbearers, carrying Tyler's casket to a waiting Tiffin fire engine, to be used as a hearse. "It's a full Catholic Mass," Strayer said. "We're anticipating it lasting at least an hour and a half." A large American flag will hang between Norwalk and Bellevue Fire Department's ladder trucks, for the many apparatus to process under, beginning with Tiffin's fire engine, will process beneath. "That'll be just west of St. Paul's Church," Strayer said. Tyler received an associate degree in fire science and his paramedic certificate from Hocking College and his registered nursing license from Lorain County Community College. Tyler's father, Jack, along with uncles Steve Eggleston and Doug Coletta, and grandfather Bob Eggleston each served at the Norwalk Fire Department over the years. Sean was a member of Tiffin Firefighters Local 322 and was involved in the Responder Exposure Assistance and Care Team program. On days off from the fire department, Tyler worked as a nurse for Mercy Health Tiffin and Willard Hospitals. After his retirement, Tyler coached in the Norwalk Buckeyes youth football program and also volunteered to coach fifth- and sixth-grade football for St. Paul, when he felt well enough. Tyler was a former St. Paul football player, and also competed in swimming as well as track and field. He also assisted with reading and spelling in Paxton's second-grade class and worked as a classroom "mom," wherein he helped pick up and drop off children and helped plan a teacher's baby shower. In lieu of flowers, Tyler's family suggests memorials be made to the children's college fund, at Payne, Nickles, & Company, 257 Benedict Ave., #D, Norwalk, 419-668-2552.