Funeral services set for Highland firefighter/EMT who died after motorcycle crash

Funeral services have been set for the Highland emergency medical technician and firefighter who died following a motorcycle crash Thursday.

Gavin L. Schlarmann, 21, of Highland, was driving a 2025 Kawasaki motorcycle north on Illinois 160 near Cherokee Road south of Grant Fork on Thursday afternoon when for an unknown reason he ran off the roadway and struck a tree, Illinois State Police said.

He was pronounced dead in the emergency room of St. Joseph Hospital in Highland at 3:10 p.m., according to the Madison County Coroner’s Office.

Schlarmann was described as a “selfless, hardworking young man” who loved serving Highland as an EMT and firefighter, according to his obituary posted by Meridith Funeral Home in Highland.

“He enjoyed helping people, playing video games, riding his motorcycle, and hanging out with his friends having bonfires,” his obituary states. “He was very involved in band throughout school and became a percussion instructor at Staunton High School.”

Visitation for Schlarmann will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Meridith Funeral Home at 1223 Broadway St. in Highland. There also will be a visitation 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Dominic Catholic Church at 493 N. Second St. in Breese.

A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Dominic.