Army Spc. George R. Obourn Jr., 20, of Creve Coeur, Ill.; assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; killed Oct. 4 after being attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire and other weapons in Taji, Iraq. Also killed were: Spc. Timothy R. Burke, Staff Sgt. Christopher O. Moudry and Pfc. Dean R. Bright.
“Funeral Announced For Soldier With Naperville Ties”
Funeral arrangements have been announced for Army Spc. George Obourn Jr., the latest service member with Naperville ties killed in Iraq.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Deiters Funeral Home, 444 E. Washington St., East Peoria. Obourn is originally from Creve Couer, where the 20-year-old grew up and attended East Peoria Community High School. Obourn's parents moved to Naperville a few years ago.
Obourn joined the Army with his best friend, Army Spc. Kristofer Walker, who was killed by a roadside bomb Oct. 2 in Taji, Iraq. Obourn was killed Oct. 3 in an explosion in Baghdad.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home and will be officiated by Pastor Gary Olson of Naperville's Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Obourn's parents are members of Good Shepherd's congregation.
Olson said the Obourns asked him to travel to East Peoria and that such a gesture reflects their family spirit.
"I think the tribute really goes to them in putting their values into action," Olson said. "Their faith family is a significant part of who they are and who they will lean on to get through this very difficult time.
"This really demonstrates what George Jr. demonstrated in life: loyalty. He was loyal to his family. His friends. He was loyal to his marching band.
"The family has very positive core values. They're very affirming people, very steadfast. They in a very positive way put their faith into action."
Obourn will be buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin with full military honors.
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