DEFIANCE COUNTY, Ohio — Defiance County is mourning the loss of a devoted member of the community following his line-of-duty death Tuesday.
South Richland Fire Chief Matt Hanenkrath died after responding to a call of a structure fire Tuesday afternoon in the 9400 block of Adams Ridge Road, a social media post from South Richland Fire Department said.
Hanenkrath, 40, of Ayersville, was involved in numerous areas of public service across Defiance County. In addition to serving as fire chief for the South Richland Volunteer Fire Department, he served as assistant chief for Highland Township Volunteer Fire Department.
In 2016, he was appointed the 911 director for Defiance County Sheriff's Office.
Hanenkrath also was the Ayersville Board of Education president, a softball coach and an assistant coach for Ayersville High School's football team.
"Above all else he was a father, a husband, a son, and a friend to so many," the South Richland Fire Department said.
Visitation is Sunday at the Defiance Elementary School gym from noon to 8 p.m., and Monday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Hanenkrath's funeral service will follow Monday at 11 a.m. at Defiance Elementary School.
On Thursday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a proclamation to lower all U.S. and Ohio flags to half-staff in Defiance County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center and the Rhodes State Office Tower. This proclamation begins Thursday and will last through sunset on Monday, July 3, the day of Hanenkrath's funeral.
"No words can even begin to describe our devastating loss," the Defiance County Sheriff's Office said. "Rest easy Matt, we have it from here."
In a statement Thursday, South Richland assistant fire chiefs Paul Seibert and Chris Esparza thanked the community for their support since Hanenkrath's passing:
"The members of The South Richland Fire Department would like to thank everyone who has reached out to show support for Chief Hanenkrath and his family during this difficult time. The community has showed incredible support, as well as many other outside agencies who have offered to help us maintain 911 services in our service areas. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hanenkrath family."
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