FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREENVILLE, Ohio – Spirit Emergency Medical Services invites former patients, fellow first responders, healthcare providers, educators, coworkers, friends, and community members whose lives Karl Kleinekathoefer touched to join us in honoring his life and service. Karl’s commitment to patient care, emergency medicine, community education, and helping others left a lasting impact both locally and abroad.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the John and Iris Hathaway Education and Community Center on the Spirit EMS campus at 5484 State Route 49 South, Greenville, Ohio. A funeral service with full EMS honors will follow at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Janie Detling.

Following the service, a formal procession will travel from the John and Iris Hathaway Education and Community Center to Tribute Funeral Homes in Greenville. The procession will provide family, friends, coworkers, and members of the public with an opportunity to pay their final respects before Karl begins his final journey home. From

Greenville, arrangements will be made to return Karl to Australia, where formal burial services will be conducted in his home country.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions supporting community First Aid, CPR, and AED education programs, as well as the Spirit EMS Summer EMT Boot Camp for high school students, may be made to the Spirit EMS Community Fund, 5484 State Route 49 South, Greenville, OH 45331.

Spirit EMS extends its sincere appreciation to the community for its overwhelming support and asks that you keep Karl’s family in your thoughts during this difficult time.