The village of Mechanicsburg has erected a stone monument at the Mechanicsburg Fire Department entrance on North Main Street to honor volunteer firefighter Jon C. Trainer, who died in the line of duty on July 24, 2007 at the age of 38.
“The entire Mechanicsburg community mourned the loss of such a dear friend and dedicated firefighter,” said Steve Castle, Assistant Chief/EMS Coordinator. “This was the first time in the history of Champaign County that a firefighter made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life in service to others.”
Castle added that the project was spearheaded by two retired Mechanicsburg firefighters, Tim Shonkwiler and Phil McMahil. A memorial ceremony was held on July 24 to formally dedicate and unveil the new monument.
Members of the Trainer family were joined by the Mechanicsburg Fire Department, area fire and law enforcement departments and several Mechanicsburg area residents for the commemoration.
The inscription on the monument is as follows: “On July 24th, 2007, our brother Jon C. Trainer answered his last alarm. Jon grew up in Mechanicsburg and followed the family tradition of community service, dedicating his time and soul to the protection of others. In 2011, the Mechanicsburg Fire Department was named Station 30 in honor of Jon’s unit number. Today, July 24th 2021, the 14th anniversary of his sacrifice, we gather as a community to honor Jon’s memory and loss. He is gone from our sight, but forever in our hearts.”
Trainer was born on December 10, 1968 in Springfield, Ohio to James H. and Judith A. (Skillman) Trainer.
He graduated from Mechanicsburg High School in 1987 then attended OSU and Franklin University.
Trainer was a lifetime member of the Mechanicsburg United Methodist Church and a member of the Mechanicsburg Lodge #113 F. & A.M.