R.I.P. Lance Cpl. Joshua H. Birchfield

Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua H. Birchfield
Died February 19, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

24, of Westville, Ind.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died Feb. 19while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.

(The following was taken from www.whatsnewlaporte.com of Feb. 22, 2010) Marine Lance Corporal Joshua H. Birchfield, 24, of Westville, IN, died on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, in Afghanistan.
Joshua was born on May 24, 1985, to Bruce Birchfield and Michelle “Shelley” Hacker (nee Hale), who both survive him.

Joshua proudly served in the military as a Marine. He loved playing baseball and softball, hanging out with his friends, and fishing with his father. He was known as the storyteller of his group of friends.

Joshua is also survived by his grandmother, Frances Birchfield of LaPorte; two sisters, Rachael and Emily Birchfield, both of Westville; his stepfather, Ron Hacker, step-grandparents Howard and Martha Hacker, step-great-grandmother Mary Dickinson, all of Westville; several aunts, uncles, cousins; and also tons and tons of friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Harold Birchfield, and his grandparents, Ida and Bobby Hale.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Newhard Funeral Home, Westville. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. at Westville High School. Pastor Carl Galloway will officiate. Burial will take place at Pinhook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Joshua Birchfield Memorial Fund, c/o Newhard Funeral Home, 58 W. Walnut St., Westville, IN 46391.