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Name: Army Spc. Joseph A. VanDreumel
Age: 52
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade Grafenwoehr, Germany
Incident: Army Spc. Joseph A. VanDreumel died in Sunday&rsquos blast, the Defense Department confirmed Tuesday.
Both men were part of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade based in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
&ldquoJoe just took me by surprise,&rdquo Dennis VanDreumel said of his son&rsquos decision to join the Army last year after he lost his job. The married father of two had been building office systems for Zeeland-based office furniture and accessories maker Herman Miller Inc.
&ldquoHe was laid off with the big downturn in 2008,&rdquo the elder VanDreumel said during a phone interview from his home in Raleigh, N.C. &ldquoHe was ... going to support his family all costs. He called me up one day and said, &lsquoDad, I&rsquom going to join the Army.&rsquo&rdquo
His second career choice pleased both his father and father-in-law, Allen Greiner. The elder VanDreumel retired from the Navy after 24 years, and Greiner served 20 years with the Michigan Army National Guard. Joseph VanDreumel&rsquos grandfather, Ken Phillips, served in the Air Force&rsquos Presidential Flight Crew.
&ldquoJoseph served his country and his family with the highest level of honor and admiration,&rdquo his family said in a statement released by Greiner. &ldquoHe will be truly missed by all whom have had contact with him.&rdquo
Before enlisting, Joseph VanDreumel lived with his wife, Sarah, and two children, 10-year-old Angel and 8-year-old Skyler, in the unincorporated community of Standale in Ottawa County&rsquos Georgetown Township.
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, the Republican congressman whose district includes the area, said the community would rally around and assist the family.
&ldquoIt always brings a sinking feeling when I hear of the loss of one of our own brave servicemen,&rdquo Huizenga wrote in an email to The Associated Press. &ldquoWe will continue to pray for our troops that fight to protect our freedoms every day.&rdquo
Funeral arrangements were incomplete Tuesday but Greiner said services are planned at Holy Spirit Church in Grand Rapids.
Memorial service held for fallen Michigan soldier
The Associated Press
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. &mdash A memorial service was held Monday in Grand Rapids for a Michigan soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
Relatives and friends of U.S. Army Cpl. Joseph A. VanDreumel gathered at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
A military burial was to follow. U.S. flags were ordered lowered across the state Monday by Gov. Rick Snyder.
VanDreumel died Aug. 14 after a roadside bomb detonated while he was recovering a vehicle hit by an earlier blast in Paktika province.
The 32-year-old joined the Army in January 2010 and trained at Fort Knox, Ky. He served in Germany from August 2010 through July 2011 and then in Afghanistan.
"He felt it was the right decision. It was an experience and opportunity for the whole family," his father, Dennis VanDreumel said.
Joseph A. VanDreumel's family was presented with his Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
VanDreumel graduated in 1997 from Jenison High School.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah children, Angel and Skyler parents, Dennis and Karen VanDreumel a brother and sister.
Died: August 14, 2011
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Condolences :
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Prayers & Condolences For:
Joseph A. VanDreumel
BY John on Sep 02, 2011 | |  | May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family forever.
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