Fatal Plane Crash in Ashland County; Pilot Left Behind One-of-a-Kind Obituary
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, OH – A federal investigation is underway following the fatal crash of an experimental aircraft in rural Ashland County on Sunday, May 5. The pilot, 72-year-old Gary Wolfelt of West Lafayette, Indiana, was the sole occupant of the single-engine plane and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred shortly before 7:45 p.m. near the intersection of State Route 89 and Township Road 902, according to the Ashland Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Authorities say Wolfelt’s aircraft, an Express 2000 FT registered under the tail number N519EA, went down in a wooded area of Jackson Township.
The Express 2000 FT is a four-seat, kit-built airplane classified in the experimental category. Emergency responders from multiple agencies—including the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Polk Jackson Perry Fire District, the Ashland County Coroner’s Office, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)—secured the site and are assisting in the ongoing investigation. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
As the investigation continues, a striking piece of Wolfelt’s life has captured the attention of many: his self-penned obituary.
In a candid and humorous final message, Gary Wolfelt chronicled his life’s many near-death experiences and brushes with fate—ranging from getting hit by a car and kicked by a horse, to falling from scaffolding and surviving a collapsing building. “I am surprised that it took this long to happen,” he wrote, noting the many accidents that might have claimed him earlier in life. “I guess I was just lucky that something didn’t get me long before now.”
Wolfelt’s obituary, now being widely shared online, reads less like a farewell and more like a cynical, heartfelt reflection on life’s unpredictability. He apologized to anyone he may have offended—especially Anoma Hargis in the sixth grade—acknowledged a spotty academic record, and credited his survival in part to painkillers and loyal dogs. “I liked our dogs better than I liked most people that I came into contact with throughout my lifetime,” he wrote.
Married to Esther Chosnek in a whirlwind Las Vegas wedding in 1982, Wolfelt praised her as a loving and patient partner, despite his weakness for spending grocery money on tools and airplane parts. The couple never had children, choosing instead a quieter life with their pets.
Wolfelt was a 1970 graduate of Jefferson High School and owned Wolfelt Electronic Security for 27 years. A tinkerer and aviation enthusiast, he built a helicopter and, over 17 years, constructed the very plane he was flying at the time of the crash. He later co-founded All Star Security and was known for his resourcefulness and ability to repair just about anything.
Though his sense of humor shines through in his obituary, Wolfelt’s life was marked by accomplishment, resilience, and a deep appreciation for those who shared it with him. He concluded his message with thanks to those who loved him, and even managed a bit of political commentary: “I didn’t intentionally vote for any socialists during my lifetime… Work hard like I did. And pay your own bills!”
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral. Instead, a Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 19, which would have been his 73rd birthday. The event will take place at Duncan Hall, 619 Ferry Street, Lafayette, Indiana. Visitation begins at 4:00 p.m., followed by a service at 5:00 p.m. and a reception afterward.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local animal rescue organizations—an apt tribute to a man who found joy in the quiet companionship of dogs and the thrill of flight.
The NTSB and FAA continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
See Obituary at www.soller-baker.com.https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/wlfi/name/gary-wolfelt-obituary?id=58346356
