Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan S. Bastean

Died October 23, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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19, of Pekin, Ill.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died Oct. 23 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

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Central Illinois communities honor fallen Marine

The Associated Press

BARTONVILLE, Ill. — Hundreds of people across Tazewell County in central Illinois came out of homes and businesses to line roads as the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan Bastean was escorted back home by a convoy of dozens of motorcycles, cars and trucks.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reports that many people in Bastean's hometown of Pekin stood along Illinois 29 with signs or flags. One sign read: "Thank you, Jordan."

Bastean was 19. He died Oct. 23 in Helmund Province in Afghanistan.

He was a 2010 graduate of Pekin High School and enlisted shortly after graduating.

Edward Bastean is the Marine's uncle. He says the family was overwhelmed by local support.

Jordan Bastean's funeral will be Wednesday in Pekin.