Sgt. Dean R. Shaffer, 23, of Pekin, Ill died April 19, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, when his Black Hawk (UH-60) crashed. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. Sgt Dean was a 2007 graduate of Pekin Community High School where he participated in the JROTC program and graduated with the rank of Cadet Sergeant Major. He was a member of the JROTC Honor Guard, Color Guard, Drill Team, Physical Fitness Team, Academic Team, and Orienteering Team. He was the recipient of the first PCHS JROTC Career and Technical Education Award. During his high school years, Dean worked at Steak-n-Shake in Pekin for several years. He enjoyed playing video games and paintballing.
Burial is at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin
To be updated…
Cpl. Alex Martinez, 21, of Elgin, Ill., died April 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. In order to enlist in the military, Alex took summer classes so he could graduate early and joined the Marines in January 2009 at age eighteen. He deployed to Afghanistan on a 7 month tour not long after graduating form the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. He deployed to Afghanistan a second time on February 28 2012.
To be updated…
Cpl. Conner T. Lowry of Chicago, Illinois died at age 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He grew up in Beverly, and attended Saint John Fisher Elementary School and Brother Rice High School. And over at Christ the King Elementary, Conner’s Picture hangs in a classroom where the students have been sending him care packages and letters for months. Prior to joining the Marines, Cpl Lowry was a student at the University of Iowa when he decided to join the military. Lowry began serving in the Marine Corps Sep. 8, 2008. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. His personal service awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two silver star devices, and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan with bronze star device.
Burial is at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois
To be updated…
Born: May 23, 1982 in Gallatin, Illinois
Died: January 22, 2012
Captain Joshua C. Pairsh of Equality, Illinois died at age 29 in the United States of a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to 4th Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Washington, D.C. He joined the United States Marine Corps on Jan. 16, 2005, and was promoted to his current rank on Aug. 1, 2010. Pairsh, a supply officer and a civil affairs officer, was a Marine Reservist, and had previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Dec. 19, 2007 to June 13, 2008. His personal awards and decorations include the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. Pairsh served as a ground supply officer with the 4th Civil Affairs Group. He previously deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008. A 2004 graduate of Murray State University, Pairsh held a degree in criminal justice.
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 10018
To be updated…
Born: April 24, 1982
Died: January 19, 2012 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Capt. Nathan R. McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill., died January 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Nate is a graduate of Crystal Lake South High School where he ran cross country and track while in school. A CH-53 pilot, he was commissioned into the Marine Corps in September 2005 and joined the squadron in October 2009. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. His personal awards include, two Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO ISAF Medal. He was part of the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMH-363. The unit deployed in August 2011 to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is set to return home in March 2012. Their mission is to provide assault support, transport Marines and critical supplies, as well as equipment during expeditionary operations.
Windridge Memorial Park Cemetery
To be updated…
Born: April 17, 1991 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died: January 6, 2012 in Kandahar, Afghanistan
Spc. Christopher A. Patterson of Aurora, Illinois died at age 20 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enermy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Ind. He was a student at Valparaiso University. His awards include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, NATO Medal and Combat Action Badge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to
Valparaiso University,
attn: SPC Christopher A. Patterson Scholarship Fund
Valparaiso University
Office of Advancement
1100 Campus Drive South
Valparaiso, IN 46383
or
West Aurora High School Music Department
attn: Christopher Patterson Memorial Fund
To be updated..
Born: November 21, 1989 in Rock Island, Illinois
Died: November 18, 2011 in Kandahar, Afghanistan
Pfc. Adam E. Dobereiner, 21, of Moline, Illinois died Nov. 18 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. He is a 2008 graduate of Moline High School, where he wrestled and played on the football team. He joined the military in January 2011 as a combat engineer. He was assigned to the 937th Engineer Company, 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade in Fort Hood since May. He was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in June 2011. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon. His family has a history of military service.
Burial is at Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois – Sec W Site 532
To be updated…
Born: September 14, 1986
Died: November 5, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Nickolas A. Daniels, 25, of Elmwood Park, Ill., died Nov. 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. Among his awards and decorations are, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois
To be updated…
Born: December 22, 1982 in Lake Forest, Illinois
Died: October 25 2011 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sgt. 1st Class David G. Robinson, 28, of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., died Oct. 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was assigned to the U.S. Army Support Activity, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Burial is at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyvillle, Illionis
To be updated…
Born: March 10, 1992 in Peoria, Illinois
Died: October 23, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Jordan S. Bastean, 19, of Pekin, Ill., died Oct. 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. His awards include, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign medal.
Burial is at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, Illinois
To be updated…