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April 16, 2005Marine's death hits hardChurch, school, family deal with war casualtyByRecord-Eagle staff writer BURT LAKE - Rusty Chatfield, pastor at Northern Michigan Christian Academy, had a tough lesson for his students. Marine Cpl. Michael B. Lindemuth, 27, a 1996 graduate of the school, died of wounds received in an enemy mortar attack Wednesday at Camp Hit in Anbar Province, Iraq. "I'm telling them that Mike loved the Lord, he loved his country, he believed in what he was doing, and he died honorably," Chatfield said. "He was a real good kid, he loved history, especially military history, and he always wanted to be a Marine. He loved his country." Lindemuth attended the school from kindergarten through 12th grade and played soccer, basketball and baseball, Chatfield said. Lindemuth had been in the Marines for about six years. Chatfield said he last saw Lindemuth at Christmas. "I told him at that time that we were proud of him, and we're still proud of him," he said. Kathy James, who attends Harbor Light Community Chapel between Petoskey and Harbor Springs, where Lindemuth regularly attended church, said the death has devastated Lindemuth's family, especially his mother, Toni. "This has been Toni's worst nightmare, she's been so afraid since he's been there," James said. "He was a God-loving, God-fearing man, he was a good son, he loved his family, he was very close to his family." James said Lindemuth's e-mail address was published in the church bulletin so church members could wish him well while he was away. "There were many people praying for him and e-mailing him and stuff like that, because it would be hard to be over there away from everyone," James said. Lindemuth's brother-in-law, Scott Veurink, said the family did not want to comment and he referred questions to a Marine representative. Maj. Steven Prather, a casualty assistance officer based in Saginaw who notified the family of the death, said Lindemuth died of shrapnel injuries he suffered from mortar fire while he was working in the motor pool. "They are grief stricken at his loss and they're extremely proud of their son," Prather said of Lindemuth's family. Lindemuth was assigned to inspector/instructor staff of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division from Akron, Ohio, a Department of Defense press release said. In Iraq, Lindemuth was attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). Sam Oliver, owner of the Village Grill in Pellston, said he didn't know Lindemuth but expects the news will shake the close-knit community. "It is a shame," he said. "When something like this happens, it touches home really hard. And in this small community, it will hit extra hard. "I am sure there are a lot of people who come in here that know him and know the family." Staff writer Ian C. Storey contributed to this report
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