Community pulls together to find, rescue one of its own
A county is only as good as the sum of its parts, and Southeastern Butler County sure showed what they’re made of last week.
When David Henschel, 74, of Winfield Township, disappeared with his vehicle, it seems not only the emergency response community, but the entire community, sprang into action to find an elderly man most didn’t even know.
When the Theile family, who own Theile Farm on Route 356 in Jefferson Township, were told Thursday night the SUV might be in their area, they ignored the exhaustion that comes with raising and milking dairy cows in 90-plus degree heat and stayed up all night searching their voluminous farm’s acreage for the vehicle.
Just as they were about to give up, they stumbled upon Hanschel’s SUV.
State police and four search crews from local volunteer fire departments wasted no time setting up their command post on the Theile Farm’s long driveway.
“We wanted to help, of course,” William Theile said when contacted by the Eagle.
When the community heard the search was on for Henschel, Saxonburg grocer Doug Sprankle did not hesitate to donate 200 bottles of water to those looking for the missing man in the stifling heat and humidity.
Nancy Zacherl, a longtime Saxonburg insurance agent, retrieved the water from Sprankle and delivered it to the scene of the search.
Zacherl donated bug repellent spray and sunscreen to try and keep the searchers safe.
Sprankle himself arrived at the scene to join a search party, when it was announced Henschel had been found at 9 a.m. Friday morning, lying in thick brush, alive and coherent.
Saxonburg Ambulance arrived to retrieve Henschel and speed him to a hospital for care.
Saxonburg VFD also thanked McDonalds of the Greater Butler Mart, Donut Connection on Center Avenue, Sprankles Neighborhood Market, Terri Leslie, Zacherl, Sheetz on Center Avenue and the local residents who provided food and beverages for the search crews.
None of those businesses or individuals announced their donations on social media or alerted news outlets of their generosity. They just did it.
The photo in the Butler Eagle of the tired search crews, some police officers in long sleeves or firefighters in full turnout gear, heading up Theile’s dusty driveway after Henschel was located, elicits chills in the average person, knowing these men and women would drop everything to assist their neighbors in any situation or weather.
A tip of the cap from the Butler Eagle seems hardly enough in the face of such selflessness by so many to help a stranger.
The Eagle applauds the search crews, as well as the businesses and individuals who made their work easier, and we hope that attitude of service to others will continue throughout Butler County as the generations roll on.
— PG
