Spc. Joel L. Bertoldie

Specialist Joel Bertoldie, 20, of Independence, MO, was killed in the line of duty, on Friday, July 18, 2003, in Fallujah, Iraq, near Baghdad. Services, with full Military Honors, will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, July 26, at the First Baptist Church, Independence, MO; burial in Oak Ridge Memory Gardens. Visitation is 5-8:30 pm Friday, at Speaks Suburban Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Jesse M. Alexander-Bertoldie Trust c/o First Federal Bank, 3500 S. Noland Rd, Independence MO 64055. Joel was born May 26, 1983, to Scott and Debi Bertoldie. A former Truman High School student, he loved spending time with his friends and listening to music. He joined the U.S Army as a 19K Tanker, arriving at Fort Knox in April of 2001. In September of 2002, he was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart GA. SPC Bertoldie deployed with his unit to Iraq in support of Opertation Iraqi Freedom. He served honorably as a soldier for his country and his awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal. Joel is survived by his son, Jesse Alexander-Bertoldie and special friend, Erin Alexander, both of Independence; his parents, Scott and Debi Bertoldie, and his brother, Koda Bertoldie, all of the home; his grandparents, Judy and Adrian Hampshire, Independence MO, Gary and Lori Bertoldie, Richmond MO, Barbara Martin, Kansas City MO, and Richard and Linda Beebe, of Illinois; great-grandmother, Ernestine Bertoldie, Knoxville MO; and many other loving relatives and friends.