Sean R. Tyler

Sean Robert Tyler, 37, of Norwalk, gained his eternal firefighting gear peacefully on June 20, 2022, while surrounded by his close loved ones at his home. 

He courageously battled occupational-related cancer for three and a half years. 

A fourth-generation firefighter, Sean was born July 6, 1984, to John “Jack” and Susan (Eggleston) Tyler in Elyria, and they survive in Norwalk. 

He married Ashley (Hill) at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Norwalk on July 23, 2011, and she survives in Norwalk. Also surviving are their three children: Paxton Robert Tyler, 8; Oakley Lynn Tyler, 7; and Hudson James Tyler, who soon will be 6 and was proud to share a birthday with his dad. 

Sean also is survived by his three sisters and their families: Amanda and Robert Quinlan of Amherst, New Hampshire, and their children, Elsie and George Quinlan; Brooke and James Gfell of Norwalk and their children, Everett and Weston Gfell; and Erin Tyler and Hoyt Cruze III of Alexandria, Virginia, and their son, Harrison Cruze; Ashley's parents, Steve and Jami Hill of Bellevue; his brothers-in-law and their families: Shaun and Christina Hill of Bellevue and their children, Braiden and Ella Hill and Gabe and Eli Tanna; and Ryan and Alaina Hill of Bellevue and their son, Brooks Hill; Ashley's maternal grandparents, Jim and Charlene Schoen of Bellevue; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

The family's 11-year-old golden retriever, Colt, who stayed with Sean through his final moments, also survives. 

Sean was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Mary Ellen (Quilter) Eggleston; his paternal grandparents, Robert and Margaret (Heitz) Tyler; a paternal uncle, Joseph P. Tyler; and Ashley's paternal grandparents, Cap and Shirley Hill. Sean was Shirley Hill's favorite grandchild. 

Sean graduated from Norwalk St. Paul High School in 2003 and had been a member of the football, track and swim teams. He was an Eagle Scout. 

He received an associate degree in fire science and paramedic from Hocking College and a registered nursing license from Lorain County Community College. 

Sean started working for Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division in May 2007, retiring in 2019 after his cancer diagnosis. He was a member of Tiffin Firefighters Local 322 and was involved in the REACT – Responder Exposure Assistance and Care Team – program. 

On his days off from the Tiffin fire station, he served as a registered nurse in the emergency rooms at Mercy Health – Tiffin and Willard hospitals. Sean loved children, and his favorite patients were infants and the elderly. 

After he retired, Sean coached in the Norwalk Buckeyes youth football program and also volunteered to coach fifth- and sixth-grade football for Norwalk St. Paul on the days he felt well. 

He helped with reading and spelling – which was ironic, as his wife would have to try to decipher the spelling on his grocery list – in Paxton's second-grade class. 

Sean was a classroom “mom” who would pick up and drop off the kids and helped plan a baby shower for a teacher. 

Sean was a volunteer at the Norwalk-area food bank and was a member of Norwalk St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. He enjoyed woodworking and tooling around in the garage. 

Sean is remembered as quick-witted, funny, gregarious, friendly and joyful and a hard worker who was always smiling and full of life. He would drop anything to help anyone, even if he had a million things to do. 

Visitation will be 1-7 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Norwalk St. Paul School Auditorium (in the Convocation Center), 96 E. Monroe St., Norwalk, OH 44857. 

The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Norwalk St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 91 E. Main St., Norwalk, OH 44857.  

Burial will immediately follow at St. Paul's Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the children's college fund that Sean had established at Payne Nickles & Co., 257 Benedict Ave., #D, Norwalk, (419) 668-2552. 

Walker-Eastman Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk, is honored to assist the family with Sean's care and arrangements.  Online condolences to the family may be expressed by visiting the funeral home website at www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com 

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