Edwardo Lopez laid to rest

When Marine Pvt. Edwardo Lopez made a commitment, he did it with enthusiasm, passion and his whole being.

The 21-year-old Aurora native was fiercely loyal to friends and family, with close relationships that extended beyond immediate relatives. His faith was strong and sacred. Even his hobbies, such as paintball and a fascination with guns and war movies, were tackled with fervor.

On Oct. 19, he gave his whole being once more during combat in Iraq. He died from what is believed to be a gunshot wound to the chest, according to his family.

On Monday, several hundred people filled the pews at Iglesia Luterana San Pablo Church in Aurora to pay final respects to Lopez and his family, which includes his mother, Martha Lopez; father, Eduardo Lopez; and 20-year-old brother, Alex Lopez.

The Rev. Alex Merlo officiated over the bilingual funeral, sending the message that love and relationships are something to cherish and appreciate daily and even into death. He spoke of Lopez as a spirited, church-going boy who grew into an honorable role model and community hero.

“I’m always going to remember his laugh and smile,” Rev. Merlo said.

He urged the community to stay positive.

“I have faith that God’s plan is perfect. He never fails,” he said.

The Rev. Michael Sneath, a Navy chaplain, said Lopez embodied the Marine’s motto of “Semper Fidelis,” which means “always faithful.”

And Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn offered praise as well, saying the family of Illinois feels the Lopez family’s pain.

“There are no words in the English language, the Spanish language or any language to relieve the pain and the grief we feel today,” he said.

Quinn paraphrased the song “America the Beautiful,” saying Lopez “loved his country more than himself and mercy more than life.”

The service concluded with Lopez’s burial at St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery.

A fellow East Aurora High School graduate, Lucy Maurico, said she found it hard to believe such a good person was gone.

“I remember when I used to live down the street from him, about two blocks, and he used to walk over to my house,” she said. “He was nice. Friendly. Always had something smart to say.”

Also mourning was family friend Val Ojeda, who served in the Marines from 1991 to 1995. Early on, Ojeda had encouraged Edwardo, a paintball buddy, to scrap plans of joining the Army to instead enlist in the Marines. It was advice he said he felt somewhat guilty for giving now.

“I told him if he was going to go into the military, he should go for the best. There is tradition and honor in the Marines that you don’t find in the Army,” Ojeda said after the funeral. “I came today to show the flag.”

From the Daily Herald

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Edwardo J. Lopez killed in combat