Joshua Hines laid to rest

CASEY, Ill. — Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Hines was remembered Friday as a proud Marine and defender of freedom, a loving husband and father and a loyal friend who always put others ahead of himself.

Friends, family members, military veterans and fellow Marines paid tribute to the 26-year-old Westfield, Ill., resident and Ventura native who died much too young while serving his country.

Hines was killed Oct. 15 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Anbar province in Iraq. He was a member of Kilo Company 3rd Battalion 24th Marines Reservists based in Terre Haute, Ind.

About 40 Marines from his unit attended the funeral and participated in military graveside rites.

Hines had been in Iraq two weeks when tragedy occurred.

"Joshua's death troubles us very much. It hurts us deeply," the Rev. Penelope H. Barber said during services at Casey United Methodist Church. "He was so young and he had so much to live for," including his wife, Caryn, and his 2-month-old son, Rylie Joshua.

Hines played football at Buena High School and later worked as a cook at Cronies Sports Grill before he moved to Illinois with a friend, Loren Holland, in 2003.

‘Sacrifice was not in vain'

Hines was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated underneath the Humvee he was in. Marine Sgt. Brock Babb, 40, of Evansville, Ind., also was killed. Lance Cpl. Joshua Bleill, 29, of Greenfield, Ind., was seriously injured.

"We struggle for understanding. Why did this happen?" Barber said at Hines' funeral. "How do we carry on without Josh?"

Barber referred to the Marine motto, semper fidelis, which means "always faithful," and she encouraged mourners to remain faithful.

"We know Josh's sacrifice was not in vain," Barber said. "He gave his life in defense of others." There is no finer calling, and no greater witness to the nobility of the human spirit, she said. "All of our lives are richer for having known him."

With difficulty and much emotion, Holland shared his memories of his lifelong and best friend.

"I have so many memories of Josh," Holland said, describing Hines as "a brother, a friend, a hero."

In their younger years, they used to throw water balloons at passing cars or knock on people's doors and run away.

When Hines told Holland he wanted to be a Marine, "I was so proud of him. It was like having my little brother follow in my footsteps," Holland said.

"He was so proud to wear a uniform."

A loyal and trustworthy friend

Hines always had wanted a family, and he always was good with children, Holland said.

Hines married Caryn on Feb. 25, and they celebrated the birth of Rylie on Aug. 28.

"We thank Josh for leaving us a little piece of him," Holland said.

Later, 1st Sgt. Troy Euclide, family readiness officer with Company K, shared some memories that had been written by Cpl. Jason St. Jean, a friend of Hines.

St. Jean described Hines as a "genuinely good person" as well as a loyal and trustworthy friend.

"He would drop anything he was doing to come to the aid of a friend," St. Jean had written. Hines put other wants and needs ahead of his own. "He taught me to never stop trying and to always give all that you got," St. Jean wrote. Hines strived for excellence in civilian life and in the Marine Corps.

While Hines' death came too early, he touched the hearts of many. "I'm proud to say I stood alongside a great American and a hero," St. Jean wrote.

Barber, who provided pre-marriage counseling to Hines and his fiancée, described the fallen Marine as someone who had a zest and love for life, whether he was horseback riding on a beach or messing around with his brothers.

He approached life with energy and intensity, and whatever task he took on, he did it with passion and a commitment to excellence.

‘Proud to be a Marine'

Hines was an enthusiastic and happy man with a contagious sense of humor. "He always had a twinkle in his eye that made me wonder what he was up to," Barber said, which drew laughter from the mourners.

"He always had that beautiful smile."

Barber also was impressed by the discipline and respect for authority showed by Hines.

"He was very proud to be a Marine and a defender of freedom," Barber said, extending her sympathy to fellow Marines.

"He considered it a high honor to serve alongside every one of you."

Outside the church, several Patriot Guard Riders — carrying flags — paid tribute to Hines.

They also were present during graveside services at Casey-Cumberland Cemetery.

As the funeral procession drove to the cemetery, several people stood along the street carrying flags in one hand and umbrellas in another. A steady rain fell throughout the morning.

At the cemetery, Hines received full military graveside rites conducted by the Marine Corps, which included a 21-gun salute, taps and the folding of the flag. At the end, a bagpiper played the Marines' Hymn.

"We never let a fallen brother go without honor. We do everything we can for the families," said Staff Sgt. Tim Kosky, an active duty member with Hines' unit. "We'll continue to be here for them in the weeks and months ahead."

Hines is survived by his mother, K'Ann Hines, and stepfather, Joseph Yanchak, of Ventura; his father, Michael B. Hines, of Bakersfield; brothers Jason Hines and wife Brooke of Albany, Ore., Jerrod and wife Melissa of Simi Valley, and Chris Hines; sisters Samatha Hines of Sterling Heights, Mich., and Erin Gas of Ventura.

From the Ventura Country Star

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