Community pays respects to fallen soldier

By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent January 17, 2012 9:58PM

Mourners arrive at Memory Lane Funeral Chapel in Schererville for the wake of Indiana National Guard Sgt. Brian Leonhardt Tuesday afternoon. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media

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At a glance

The funeral for Valparaiso University music major Christopher Patterson, 20, who was among the Indiana National Guardsmen killed Jan. 6, will take place at 11 a.m. Jan. 21 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in his hometown of North Aurora, Ill. Visitation will be 1 to 8 p.m. Jan. 20 at the church.

Two music groups of which Patterson was a member ? the Valparaiso Chorale, the university?s premiere singing group, and Vovox, an all-male a cappella group from Valparaiso ? will perform at the funeral.

His family is asking those who attend honor their son by wearing red in recognition of Chris? ginger-colored hair.

Two funds have been set up in Patterson?s name, including one at Valparaiso University that will support a scholarship for red-haired music majors.

Updated: January 18, 2012 2:01AM

SCHERERVILLE ? Friends, loved ones and members of the community at large gathered Tuesday to say goodbye to Sgt. Brian Leonhardt of Merrillville.

An American flag covered his casket as pictures capturing the important moments of his 21 years flashed on video screens in the background.

Mourners waited for up to an hour during peak visiting times at Memory Lane Memorial Park and Funeral Chapel for a chance to pay their respects to Leonhardt?s family and young widow, Dianne.

?I can?t believe the response,? Dianne Leonhardt said. Earlier this week she attended services for Spc. Robert Tauteris Jr. of Hamlet, who along with her husband and two other soldiers, was killed Jan. 6 by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan. She said that service, too, drew a large outpouring of support, so she expected the same for her husband, but was still surprised by just how many people came out.

Spc. Christopher Patterson, 20, of Aurora, Ill., a music student at Valparaiso University, and Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, 32, of Indianapolis were also killed in the blast. The four men were members of the Indiana National Guard 713th Engineer Company based in Valparaiso.

Chuck and Patricia Marsh of Crown Point were among those who came to show their support. The couple do not know the family personally, but their son, Pvt. Ryan Marsh, serves in the 713th Engineer Company and was on base when the patrol was hit. Marsh said as parents the loss of a member of their son?s unit is difficult.

?We came to pay our respects for a fellow soldier,? Marsh said.

?This is a strong patriotic family,? Patricia Marsh said.

Leonhardt comes from a family of eight. Three of his older brothers, Chuck, Randall and A.J., also served in the Indiana National Guard. Randall was also a Marine. He also two other brothers, Robert III, Randall?s twin, and Trevor, the youngest of the group. His sisters are Theresa Stoneback and Jackie Leonhardt. His mother is Marie Leonhardt of Merrillville and his father is Robert Leonhardt Jr. of Lakes of the Four Seasons.

Marianne Wyatt of Highland and her daughter, Arielle Popovich, 14, also of Highland, said it was Leonhardt?s sense of humor and his laughter they will miss the most. Wyatt?s oldest daughter Laura and Leonhardt were classmates and friends.

?He had the best sense of humor,? Arielle said.

Wyatt said they will cherish their memories and the many funny stories they can share but will never understand the senselessness of the loss of the life of someone who was as good a person as Leonhardt.

?You?re always told life is not fair. It really isn?t. They had to take Brian out of this earth and it?s really not fair,? Wyatt said.

A funeral is planned at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Hammond, 507 State St.

Source: http://posttrib.suntimes.com/10067385-418/community-pays-respects-to-fallen-soldier.html

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