Ty Zeigel passes
Brandon sends us the sad news that Marine Sergeant Ty Ziegel has passed on. From an article written by our buddy, Andy Kravetz last week in the Peoria Journal Star;
Tyler W. Ziegel, 30, was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. in the emergency room at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said. An autopsy could not clearly identify the cause of Ziegel’s death, Ingersoll said, although it was discovered that Ziegel had an enlarged heart. Further testing will be done to determine how he died, Ingersoll said.
Rescue personnel were called to Sue’s Place in Metamora on a report Ziegel had fallen in its parking lot. He was brought to the hospital about 1:45 a.m.
Ty was an iconic figure in the war against terror when he survived an IED blast which disfigured him but he kept charging on and encouraging others to do the same.
From PentagraphPantagraph;
Angela Cochran, Ziegel’s girlfriend, said he has been an inspiration in the three months since they began dating.
“You can ask him anything about his scars, his time in Iraq, how everything happened; he’s like an open book,” said Cochran. “He was willing to share stories. That’s what makes him so inspiring. He’s not trying to hide.”
His mother, Becky Ziegel, said he learned to deal with the disability.
“His doctors asked him several times to visit other injured military people, just to be a little bit of inspiration, maybe go in there and say ‘Hey, you know, time to buck up,’” Ziegel said.
Odd that what the enemy couldn’t do was done by a patch of ice.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Rest in Peace, Sgt. He was an inspiration to many and will be missed.
-Brandon
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:14 pm
God bless his family. He has no scars or wounds now. He is with God.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:23 pm
just a typo correction, it’s the Pantagraph, not pentagraph. Am saddened to hear of this.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Rest in Peace, Sgt.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:25 pm
*What 2-17 Air Cav Said.*
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Be at peace, Marine. Your trials are over. May God’s face smile upon you and your family.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:30 pm
@2: Yep.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:32 pm
I agree with 2,5, and 7. God bless this young man.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:34 pm
Sad that a young man with feet firmly planted on the ground now rests beneath it. RIP Marine.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Rest In Peace, Marine.
Have fun on The Green. You earned it.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Rest in Peace Brother, Semper Fidelis,
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Ship’s Company, HAND SALUTE!
Ready To.
HooYah Marine!
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:51 pm
thanks for the reference. Ty was a terrific guy. If you go to my blog, I have my own personal thoughts on his passing. He wasn’t a hero for serving nor for being blown up but how he dealt with his adversity. He has more courage, more class and more humility than most. I dare I say I don’t think I could have dealt with his challenges as well as he did.
I knew Tyler. Wasn’t friends or buddies but knew him. we talked once a year or so. Professionally. I am a reporter but I liked him. I enjoyed his humor. His smile and his courage. He played guitar. He rode a trike (donated to him after he recovered) and lived up to the status symbol that he became. Sure, he has issues. I knew of them. Yes, he had legal issues. I knew of those too but that is what made him even more human.
In some ways, his death is a celebration of his life. While tragic and seemingly senseless, it also showed he never lost a passion for life, and was still the same guy. Surf over to my blog to find out more .
Andy Kravetz, Reporter
Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Rest in peace, my brother-in-arms.
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:00 pm
RIP Marine, you did your time in Hell.. may his spirit live on in all he touched. Never Forget.
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:05 pm
@13 Saints aren’t all that interesting really, those of us with human flaws and failings are far more interesting, how we deal with our flaws and failings reveal who and what we are. Your point is well taken regarding the ability of this young man to deal daily with adversity on a scale most of us can’t imagine. Nicely written piece sir.
I’m with Air Cav on this one….Tyler, RIP young man, God bless your family in their time of sorrow.
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:24 pm
“And whdn he gets to heaven,
To St. Peter he will tell,
Another Marine reporting sir,
I’ve spent my time in hell”.
RIP Sgt.
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:26 pm
R.I.P. no more suffering for this great American Marine.Semper Fidelis sir!
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Lead by example, and showed what a true Marine thinks of adveristy. It is a shame that the BUM in the picture below could not learn from such a teacher.
Semper Fi, “They will find streets are Guarded by United States Marines”
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Someone who embodied the creed “Always Faithful.” A dying breed of courage and encouragement in a country of brooding, self-entitled brats.
January 2nd, 2013 at 3:03 pm
I had an appointment at my local Vet Center in my home town today at 1100 and as my social worker and I talked about deserving vets and those that were hurt so badly, especially via IED’s – I spoke of the current Wounded Warrior Project commercial showing some of those with burns, limbs and brain injuries……we both agreed that we had a lump in our throat each time it came on TV.
When I’m feeling a little down and feeling some self pity I shake myself back into reality when I think of those, like Tyler, who are a helluva lot braver than I…..and a helluva lot worse off than I.
May the mercy of God be with you and your family.
Semper Fi, Marine.
January 2nd, 2013 at 3:27 pm
R.I.P., Marine.
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:05 pm
RIP dude
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Semper Fidelis brother.
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:48 pm
RIP, Marine.
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:49 pm
RIP, Tyler!
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:53 pm
Semper Fi, Bro. You can tell St. Peter, “Another Marine roporting Sir, I’ve served my time in hell.”
January 2nd, 2013 at 5:02 pm
Semper Fi. RIP SGT Ziegel.
January 2nd, 2013 at 6:34 pm
RIP, Marine. Your lessons in how to live life will continue even as you enjoy the peace you have more than earned.
And, yeah, what AC said.
January 2nd, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Shai Dorsai!!
Rest well, Devil Dog. The streets of Heaven are safer with you on guard.
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:09 pm
What everyone has said so well. Rest in Peace, Marine.
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Rest in Peace Marine, all of your hard work and sacrifices will never be forgotten.
January 2nd, 2013 at 11:53 pm
Thank-you young Marine for ALL you did for us.
Know you are not forgotten.
God Bless You and your family.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:13 am
God bless. Rest in Peace.
HMA
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:26 am
Oh man. What a crappy way to start the new year. It really is that no man is promised tomorrow…
You epitomized Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome. I will never forget you.
I haven’t finished my tour here, in the Vale of Tears, but I’ll be seeing you in a while, Brother …
January 3rd, 2013 at 8:30 am
God speed, Sergeant. RIP. You’ve earned it.
January 3rd, 2013 at 3:35 pm
RIP shipmate!