CELINA, Ohio (WLIO) – The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office has suspended its full-scale search for 89-year-old Roger Stachler of St. Henry.
On Sunday evening, Stachler was reported missing by his wife after she returned from work around 8:30 p.m. to their home on State Route 118, south of St. Henry.
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, along with its K-9 units, several area police and fire departments, and a helicopter from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, searched for Stachler at and around the residence. The initial search was suspended early Monday at 1 a.m.
At a press conference Monday afternoon, Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman said the search resumed and intensified Monday morning with drones and additional personnel from area departments assisting, along with the State Patrol’s aviation unit and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ rescue dog. Despite the manpower, Stachler was not located, and Timmerman announced the full-scale search was suspended as of 4 p.m. Monday.
Timmerman said foul play is not believed to be involved. Despite the suspension, he asked the public to submit any tips.
“We are asking anyone with information or tips that could assist in the finding of Mr. Stachler to please call the Mercer County Sheriff's Office at 419-586-7724. Mr. Stachler was last seen wearing khaki pants, a black T-shirt and possibly a ball cap. Mr. Stachler is approximately 5' 9", 130 pounds, blue eyes and gray hair,” says Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman.
Stachler has been entered into the LEADS system as a missing person.
September 15, 2025, Press Release from the Mercer County Sheriff's Office:
MERCER COUNTY, Ohio -Â
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office received a call September 14th, 2025, at 8:33 PM from Mr. Stachler's wife. Mrs. Stachler advised that she was at work and when she returned home a little after 8:00 PM, she was unable to find her husband (Roger).
Mrs. Stachler called the neighbors for assistance and a short time later the Sheriff's Office was called to the scene at 1766 SR 118 St. Henry, Ohio 45883.
Members of the Sheriff's Office began by searching the house and outbuilding owned by the Stachers. After not immediately finding Mr. Stachler several more Sheriff's Office personnel were called to the scene, to include off duty deputies (including our K-9) detectives, task force members and command staff.
The Sheriff's Office also received assistance from the Saint Henry Police Department, Coldwater Police Department and numerous members of the Saint Henry Fire Department, as well as many neighbors, friends and family members.
After the initial search, the Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Unit was called and responded from Columbus with their helicopter, which is equipped with thermal imaging.
Several deputies and firemen used Infrared (heat) detection devices to assist in the search due to the darkness. This same type or similar technology was used by drones that were on scene.
The search was suspended shortly after 1:00 AM on the 15th of September.
The search resumed around 8:00 AM this morning after all agencies had a chance to meet and develop a search plan which took place at 7:30 AM at the Saint Henry Fire Department.
Today's search consisted of multiple drones, members of the Mercer County Sheriff's Office, Saint Henry Police Department, Saint Henry Fire Department, Celina Fire Departments dive team, Coldwater Fire Department, Southwest Mercer Fire Department, Burkettsville Fire Department, Chickasaw Fire Department, our local C.A.R.T Team (Child Abduction Response Team) which can also be used for missing/endangered adults. This team consists of members from Sheriff's Offices, local Police Departments and EMA's from a multi-county area. We also had a private professional drone company, as well as assistance from numerous friends, family members, neighbors and volunteers who assisted in the search.
OSP's aviation (fixed wing) unit returned to assist in the search around 11:30 AM. We also called in assistance from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, who assisted with a search and rescue dog.
The area of search included the residence and outbuilding. A large woods, large soybean field, ditches, corn fields, hay field, neighbors' yards and outbuildings as well as two ponds on surrounding neighbors' properties.
Additional areas that were searched were local restaurants, local hospitals and churches.
After this, we are still unable to find Mr. Stachler. The Mercer County Sheriff's Office has no reason to believe that foul play was involved.
We will be suspending the full-scale search as of 4:00 PM today.
We are asking anyone with information or tips that could assist in the finding of Mr. Stachler to please call the Mercer County Sheriff's Office at 419-586-7724. We will follow up on any new information or tips as we receive them.
For the public's information, Mr. Stachler was last seen wearing khaki pants, black t-shirt and possibly a ball cap. Mr. Stachler is 5'9", 130 pounds, blue eyes and gray hair.
Mr. Stachler has been entered into LEADS (Law Enforcement Automated Data System) as a "Missing Person".
We thank the public and first responders for all of the assistance that they provided to us.
