Services held for downstate soldier

HIGHLAND -- Hundreds of mourners have remembered a fallen southern Illinois soldier as someone who "could turn sorrow into laughter."

At services Saturday in Highland, friends and family said 33-year-old Sergeant First Class Gary Vasquez loved being in the Army -- and making others laugh.

He was killed Sept. 29 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. He was on his third tour in Afghanistan as a Green Beret with the U.S. Special Forces.

Barry DuHasek said his brother "could turn sorrow into laughter," even when life was hard.

Vasquez is survived by his wife, Sarah; his mother, Margaret DuHasek, of Highland; his brother, Barry DuHasek, of Highland; and his sister, Keely Vasquez of Chicago.