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Ottumwan killed in Iraq
Jonathan Schiller dies while serving his country
OTTUMWA — The war in Iraq has claimed the life of an Ottumwa soldier.
Corporal Jonathan E. “Jon” Schiller served with the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry; he was killed Sunday, according to a notice from Reece Funeral Home issued Tuesday.
“He was a wonderful young man. He had a good outlook on life, and he was always smiling when he was here,” said Elizabeth Stoltz-Peters of Ottumwa, whose children were friends with Schiller.
Schiller graduated from Ottumwa High School in 2004. Principal Steve Hanson said he was contacted by the district’s superintendent with the news.
“It’s difficult to lose one of our own,” said Hanson. “I had a few different occasions to meet him, and I remember him and his older brother. It’s difficult whenever we lose a student or an alumnus, especially when it’s been because of war.”
Stoltz-Peters said she cannnot imagine how this is affecting the family, and is encouraging her own children to be available to the Schillers.
“This is obviously devastating. I just don’t how you get over the loss of a child,” said Stoltz-Peters. “It’s the worst thing I can imagine.”
A friend of the Schillers told the Courier the family was not ready to comment to the media at this time.
“He was good-natured and kind to others,” said Stoltz-Peters. “He was the kind of kid you’d want your own kid to be like.”
Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.
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