A community memorial service for U.S. Marine Corporal Daane A. DeBoer will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18th at the Valparaiso Service Memorial in Foundation Meadows Park at 3210 North Campbell. 
Cpl. Daane DeBoer, 24, lost his life while on foot patrol in Afghanistan on June 25, 2010. DeBoer was born in Valparaiso, where he attended Immanuel Lutheran School through sixth grade before moving to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Immanuel Lutheran’s pastor, the Reverend Steve Bongard, said he spoke with Daane in January during a visit to Valparaiso. “He was bright, confident and proud to serve his country,” Bongard said. His father and stepmother, David and Mary DeBoer of Valparaiso, are very active in the church and the community. “Daane was a phenomenal young man,” his father said. “He had a huge heart, and everyone that met him couldn’t help but love him. His ever-present sense of humor and his love for others will never be forgotten. He died a hero.”
A private memorial service was held for Cpl. DeBoer on July 3rd in Grand Rapids. The September 18th ceremony in Valparaiso will include reflections from Mayor Costas on behalf of the community and from David Hollenbeck and Pastor Bongard on behalf of the family. The public is welcome to attend.
For more information call Barbie Johnson at 219-462-5144.