Mourners say farewell to Lake Co. soldier killed in Afghanistan

At least 900 mourners said goodbye to a Wildwood soldier who died in Afghanistan from injuries he suffered in an explosion in an ammunition holding facility.

Tuesday's service at Wildwood Presbyterian Church for U.S. Army Ranger Spc. Joseph W. Dimock II began at 10:03 a.m. - the time he was pronounced dead in the noncombat incident July 10 in Salerno, Afghanistan.

Graveside services with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute, were held at Highland Memorial Park in unincorporated Lake County just south of Gurnee.

In a written message to the 900 or so mourners attending what was called a celebration of Dimock's life, his family expressed gratitude to all who have shown sympathy and support to them.

"The family welcomes your continuing visits, friendship, hugs and sharing of stories about Joey in the days and years to come," they said.

Dimock, 21, was a 2007 graduate of Warren Township High School in Gurnee. He was on his second deployment to Afghanistan and had a previous mission to Iraq, according to the U.S. Defense Department.

Officials said Dimock was killed while conducting inventory in the ammunition holding facility. The explosion also injured another Ranger performing the inspection.

Dimock was recognized with a moment of silence before Monday night's Gurnee village board meeting. Mayor Kristina Kovarik said Dimock was the fourth Warren High graduate to die in Iraq or Afghanistan.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," Kovarik said.

The Revs. Kathy and Greg Bostrom led Tuesday's service for Dimock. Visitors included Gov. Pat Quinn and Gurnee Trustee Kirk Morris, whose son, Geoffrey, died while fighting for the Marines in Iraq in 2004.

Representatives from the Patriot Guard Riders and Axemen firefighters group in Wisconsin held 32 American flags outside Wildwood Presbyterian as pallbearers carried Dimock's casket to a hearse.

Dimock was posthumously awarded with the Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. He enlisted in the Army in August 2007 after graduating from Warren High.

Dimock was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based out of Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. Officials said he distinguished himself as member of the Army's premier light-infantry unit.

He is survived by his parents, Joseph and Ellen Dimock of unincorporated Wildwood, as well as his brothers, Louis and Michael. The late soldier was recalled by his family for involvement in Wildwood Presbyterian youth fellowships and summer mission trips.

An Army Ranger assigned to the Dimock family said the media was not allowed inside the church to cover the service. Photographers were directed to an area outside the church to shoot pictures. This story was written by talking to people outside Wildwood Presbyterian and with other information provided to the Daily Herald in an effort to respect the family's wishes.