A salute to service
OAKLAND TWP — More than 35 firefighters, a dozen fire vehicles and the county 911 dispatch center supported the Slagle family Monday, as they said final goodbyes to their loved one, Larry “Nerp” Slagle.
Slagle, 80, died Thursday after a lifetime of dedication to fire services in the county.
Firefighters from his home station, Bruin Volunteer Fire Department, as well as men and women from fire departments in Parker, Petrolia, East Brady, West Sunbury, East Butler, North Washington and Oneida Valley snapped to attention and saluted as Slagle's casket was wheeled into Faith Fellowship Alliance Church.
Before that, Chicora Volunteer Fire Department members hung an enormous American flag from the extended ladder of their engine, which was parked at the church entrance.
A Bruin fire engine with its flashing lights deployed escorted the hearse carrying Slagle's remains underneath the flag and onto church property.
Slagle's family and friends followed, and about 100 people celebrated his life inside the church.
“He closed his eyes for the last time and opened them before the King of Kings,” said the Rev. Richard Jenks.
Jenks recalled Slagle's dedication to fire services as a founding member of the Bruin Volunteer Fire Department and the Rural Fire Firefighters Association, a former president of the county Fire Chiefs Association and the creator, with the late Butler Fire Chief George Smith, of the fire training facility at Butler County Community College.
“He knew he did what God called him to do,” said Jenks, “and he went home a happy man.”
Slagle's daughter, Lori Slagle Roxbury, sang two hymns at her father's funeral and, along with her sister, Kelly Slagle Wilson, spoke of his life.
Roxbury recalled asking her father to carry her and her sister up to bed as young children using the fireman's carry.
She also said Slagle raised his children to serve others and always be humble.
Roxbury said he considered all firefighters his brothers.
“If you loved Dad, we want you to train and keep your equipment up,” Roxbury said to the firefighters flanking the family in the church. “That's what he would want, for all of you to come home to your families and be safe.”
Wilson talked about her father's devotion to his family, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.She reassured them on Monday that their grandpa, uncle, brother and mentor no longer was forced to live in a body ravaged by the illnesses he never complained about.“He's in the arms of God, whole again with no more pain,” Wilson said. “We will all strive to live with the dignity, grace and love he showed.”Slagle's grandson, Dan Wilson, told those in attendance that he was known in the family as “Grandpa's little sidekick,” having attended trainings, installation dinners, parades and all fire department functions with Slagle.“I learned many things from tagging along,” Wilson said, “but the most important was how to treat others.”He vowed to try to live a life that would make his Grandpa proud.“I was lucky to have a grandpa to guide me and mold me into the man I am today,” Wilson said. “If I could be a quarter of the man he was, I'd be doing all right.”After Roxbury's soaring rendition of “Amazing Grace,” a few more words from Jenks, and the reading of “A Fireman's Prayer” by firefighter Bobby Hackbarth, the most heart-rending portion of the service was initiated by Bruin Fire Chief Eric Feicht.Feicht called for the ringing of the bell, which is a tradition upon the passing of a beloved firefighter. Another firefighter struck a brass bell three times to signify Slagle's last call home as the Bruin firefighters stood at attention and saluted.“He has completed his task, his duty well done,” Feicht said.An emergency services radio rigged up inside the church then crackled to life with the sounding of the all-county alert tones and Bruin fire department's tones.A dispatcher at the county 911 center then solemnly declared, “Chief Slagle, this is your final call. May you rest in peace.”Burial was private and the family asks that memorial donations benefit the Bruin Volunteer Fire Department or Concordia Lutheran Ministries.
