thedrifter
01-16-06, 05:45 AM
Downstate Marine dies of wounds in Iraq war
By Jamie Francisco
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 16, 2006
Jonathan Kyle Price was a sophomore at Woodlawn High School in southern Illinois when he joined the Young Marines, a group he hoped would prepare him for a career in the military.
He left for basic training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., after high school graduation in 2004, family members said.
Lance Cpl. Price, 19, died Friday of injuries he received while on guard duty in Ramadi, Iraq, where he had been stationed for five months. It was his first tour of duty in Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"Our family is very proud of Kyle, and this will leave a big void for the rest of our lives," said his mother, Cheryl Hunsell, reached at her Woodlawn home Sunday. "We are very proud because Kyle was doing what he believed in."
Price grew up in Woodlawn, a rural community with a population of 600 outside Mt. Vernon, said his stepfather, John Hunsell. Price sang in the choir at Woodlawn Christian Church and was a member of the Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
Family members expected Price to return home in February. His fiance, Brea Tate, is scheduled to give birth to their daughter in March, his mother said. The couple had dated for two years.
"He was very proud," his mother said. "He was very looking forward to being a daddy."
At a gathering at the family's home Saturday, friends and relatives shared memories of a compassionate and strong man who relied on his Christian faith to help him through difficult times.
"He just believed we had to stop terrorism," his stepfather said. "He was always wanting to be in the Marines since he was a kid. He seized this opportunity to defend his country. He was a strong believer in his family and his country, and that's what he wanted to do."
Price was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He spent many hours trying to catch bluegills in farming ponds and especially enjoyed family outings to fishing derbies, his stepfather said.
Alan Estes, superintendent of Woodlawn High School District 205, said Price was a positive presence on campus, both as a student and on the varsity baseball team. Price was well-respected by students at the high school, which has an enrollment of roughly 200 students, he said.
"He was a great kid in school, always smiling," Estes said. "He was a super kid to have around the building. He'll be thoroughly missed in the community."
Funeral arrangements are pending. Other survivors include his father, David; sisters Rachel Hunsell and Krystal Price; and brother John Hunsell.
jfrancisco@tribune.com
Ellie
By Jamie Francisco
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 16, 2006
Jonathan Kyle Price was a sophomore at Woodlawn High School in southern Illinois when he joined the Young Marines, a group he hoped would prepare him for a career in the military.
He left for basic training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., after high school graduation in 2004, family members said.
Lance Cpl. Price, 19, died Friday of injuries he received while on guard duty in Ramadi, Iraq, where he had been stationed for five months. It was his first tour of duty in Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"Our family is very proud of Kyle, and this will leave a big void for the rest of our lives," said his mother, Cheryl Hunsell, reached at her Woodlawn home Sunday. "We are very proud because Kyle was doing what he believed in."
Price grew up in Woodlawn, a rural community with a population of 600 outside Mt. Vernon, said his stepfather, John Hunsell. Price sang in the choir at Woodlawn Christian Church and was a member of the Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
Family members expected Price to return home in February. His fiance, Brea Tate, is scheduled to give birth to their daughter in March, his mother said. The couple had dated for two years.
"He was very proud," his mother said. "He was very looking forward to being a daddy."
At a gathering at the family's home Saturday, friends and relatives shared memories of a compassionate and strong man who relied on his Christian faith to help him through difficult times.
"He just believed we had to stop terrorism," his stepfather said. "He was always wanting to be in the Marines since he was a kid. He seized this opportunity to defend his country. He was a strong believer in his family and his country, and that's what he wanted to do."
Price was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He spent many hours trying to catch bluegills in farming ponds and especially enjoyed family outings to fishing derbies, his stepfather said.
Alan Estes, superintendent of Woodlawn High School District 205, said Price was a positive presence on campus, both as a student and on the varsity baseball team. Price was well-respected by students at the high school, which has an enrollment of roughly 200 students, he said.
"He was a great kid in school, always smiling," Estes said. "He was a super kid to have around the building. He'll be thoroughly missed in the community."
Funeral arrangements are pending. Other survivors include his father, David; sisters Rachel Hunsell and Krystal Price; and brother John Hunsell.
jfrancisco@tribune.com
Ellie