Credit: Picasa
Credit: Picasa
The crash happened just before 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 8 in the 9900 block of north state Route 235 in Adams Twp., on the border with Logan County. Strahler’s vehicle crashed into the house, with the impact causing the car and house to catch fire.
Strahler was driving north on state Route 235 in a 2017 Toyota when his vehicle went off the left side of the roadway and struck the house.
The car caught fire, which caused the house to ignite as well, according to the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office.
“Although several attempts were made, the residents were unable to rescue the driver from the vehicle,” a release from the sheriff’s office stated.
Strahler was pronounced dead at the scene. No one in the home was injured.
The car and house were engulfed when deputies and fire and EMS crews from the Rosewood and Riverside/DeGraff fire departments responded. The American Red Cross responded to assist the homeowners.
Strahler retired as president of Strahler’s Foods Inc., a family-owned business that spanned 54 years, according to his obituary. He also served as an uncompensated special deputy from 1974 to 1982 in Clark County.
Rebecca Strahler, Douglas’ wife of 19 years, said he was “happiest when he felt he was helping someone.”
Douglas Strahler life revolved around three things: his family, his work, and the Loyal Order of Moose, of which he was a lifetime member.
“He was just such a genuine person,” Rebecca Strahler said. “He liked everyone and tried to help everyone, that’s how he was raised.”
He also enjoyed his job in the drive-thru at the McDonalds restaurant on Derr Road, the obituary said.
Margaret Stone, the general manager of the restaurant, said that Strahler was a kind-hearted person who on more than one occasion paid for the meal of a customer who misplaced his or her wallet. He was also known to help coworkers who struggled with transportation get to work, Stone said.
The Derr Road restaurant now has a Christmas tree in its lobby with an ornament honoring Strahler.
“He would go out of his way for anybody,” Stone said.
