Sgt. Daniel J. Thompson

PORTAGE  --  Sgt. Daniel J. Thompson, age 24, of Madison, was killed in active duty in a military police convoy in the Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device went off, killing all four soldiers in the Humvee on Tuesday, February 24, 2009.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2009  at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding.  Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Packwaukee. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, and on Wednesday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Daniel was born on August 20, 1984 in Portage.  He joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard during his junior year at Portage High School and graduated in 2003.  He attended MATC in Portage, graduated with a degree in criminal justice and law enforcement in 2006, and then went on to work for Brinks Armored Truck in Madison.  Daniel was with the 32nd Military Police Company, Wisconsin Army National Guard, based in Madison, until he was honorably discharged in 2007.  He then went into the IRR (Individual Ready Reserves), and was called up to leave with the 715th Military Police Company, Melbourne, Florida.  Daniel had intended to enter police work after leaving the military this coming December.

He is survived by his parents, Lisa and Bob Thompson, Portage;  his fiancé, Maria Steinke, Madison, and her parents, David and Jody Steinke, Poynette;  his aunt, Vicky (Keith) Wruck and her children, Steven and Brian, Florida Keys;  his uncle, Mark (Jean) Erd and their children, Nicholas, Brittany and Joey, Menomonee Falls;  his aunt, Dee (Paul) Voigt, Raleigh, NC;  his uncle, Mike (Kara) Thompson, and his children, Colin and Lexie, Endeavor;  his grandparents, Richard (Cathie) Thompson, Pardeeville;  other relatives and many, many friends.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Russell Erd and Marian “Windy” Erd.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.  www.pmmfh.com

 

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