Loved Ones Gather To Mourn Soldier

The casket carrying the body of Cpl. Keith Nurnberg is carried out of St. Joseph's Church in Richmond. Nurnberg, who was killed in Iraq, was a 1999 graduate of McHenry West High School. (Sandy Bressner photo)

by JIM BUTTS
RICHMOND – Jim Maurer told teary-eyed mourners gathered Saturday to grieve the death of Army Cpl. Keith Nurnberg about the courage, humility and honor of his best friend.

Maurer directed many of his words Saturday not to those sitting in the pews, but to a child not yet born.

“Baby Keith, if later in life you ever want to know what kind of man your daddy was, look up the definition of the word ‘hero,’ ” Maurer said.

Keith Nurnberg, 26, formerly of McHenry, was killed in Iraq on Sept. 5 when the Humvee he was riding in was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

In the same church where they gathered to mourn his death Saturday, Nurnberg had married Tonya (Hopkins) Nurnberg of Round Lake in December.

Tonya Nurnberg is expecting to give birth to a boy in November and plans to name the baby after his father.

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During a short and passionate eulogy Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Maurer described his best friend as loving and dedicated to his family and friends.

Nurnberg also was filled with courage, not only in risking his life for his country in Iraq, but also through actions at home, such as when he saved the life of an endangered dog.

“Simply put, Keith was the greatest man I will ever know,” Maurer said.

Outside the church, American flags lined the street, and a church bell tolled solemnly every few moments.

After the Mass, the funeral proceeded 6 miles north to Pell Lake, Wis., where Nurnberg was laid to rest at a small, country cemetery.

The procession passed a few groups of supporters gathered at the sides of the road holding signs reading “Thank you for serving our county” and “Rest in peace.”

The cemetery was surrounded with more American flags, many of them held by Patriot Guard Riders, a national organization of motorcycle enthusiasts who attend soldier funerals to protect against disrespectful protests.

At a lectern next to the grave site, Monsignor James McLoughlin offered a final prayer. Earlier during the Mass, McLoughlin had spoken about the “spiritual strength” that Nurnberg had possessed in order to put his life on the line for his country.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Charlie Fletcher Jr. also spoke and posthumously awarded Nurnberg the Bronze Star Medal for his service to the country. The medal and two folded flags that had draped Nurnberg’s coffin then were presented to Keith’s wife, Tonya, and his mother, Barbara Nurnberg.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle had requested that flags be flown at half-staff Saturday in honor of Nurnberg.

Nurnberg had moved with Tonya to Genoa City, Wis., about nine months ago. He previously lived in McHenry and was a 1999 graduate of McHenry West High School.

How to help

Memorials may be made to the Tonya Nurnberg Benefit Account, c/o First Midwest Bank, 3510 W. Elm St., McHenry, IL 60050. The fund will benefit the unborn baby of Keith and Tonya Nurnberg.

Remembering Nurnberg

Sept. 23, 1980: Keith A. Nurnberg is born in Waukegan to Alan and Barbara Nurnberg.

May 1999:Graduates from McHenry West High School, where he ran track.

January 2004: Leaves for boot camp after enlisting in the U.S. Army. He follows in a long family tradition of military service.

Summer 2006: Re-enlists in the Army after serving a tour of duty in Iraq.

Dec. 30, 2006: Marries teacher Tonya Hopkins of Round Lake after a short courtship. The couple had known each other for about 10 years before dating.

Sept. 5, 2007: Nurnberg is killed on his second tour in Iraq after the Humvee he is riding in is struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.