Sgt. Brian Leonhardt Official Memorial Tribute

Sergeant Brian Leonhardt, 21, of Merrillville, died in Afghanistan on Friday, January 6, 2012, while serving our country. He was a member of the 713th Engineer Company the Indiana National Guard.

He was born on March 6, 1990, the sixth of eight children. Brian graduated from Hammond Baptist High School, where he was a standout basketball player, in May 2008.

Brian is survived by his wife, Dianne, of Schererville; his parents, Robert Leonhardt, Jr., of LOFS and Marie Leonhard of Merrillville; 2 sisters, Theresa (Keith) Stoneback of Crown Point and Jackie of Merrillville; 5 brothers, Chuck (Christy) Knox, Randy and Robert III of Crown Point, A.J., of Plymouth, and Trevor, of Merrillville; 7 nieces and nephews grandparents; and a huge host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Brian followed in the footsteps of his older brothers and enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 2007. He was deploy in November 2011 to Afghanistan where he served as a Combat Engineer.

Sgt. Leonhardt's awards and decorations include:

Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device,
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Medal
NATO Medal
Combat Action Badge

Brian loved life, especially spending time in Chicago, playinbasketball, entertaining his nieces and nephews, and playing "Battlefield" on his PS3. His fondness for Oakley sunglasse nice shoes, neon green, and Mountain Dew is legendary among his family and friends.

A memorial service for Brian was held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. in the main auditorium of First Baptist Church of Hammond, 473 Sibley Street, Hammond, 46320, with Pastor Jack Schaap officiating. Visitation with the family was held Tuesday, January 17, 2012, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Memory Lane Memorial Park and Funeral Chapel, 6305 W. Lincoln Hwy., Crown Point, IN, 46307

Memory Lane Memorial Park Funeral Chape is located on the south side of Route 30 on the eastern edge of Schererville between Cline Avenue and Burr Streets

Burial was in the Veteran's section of Memory Lane Memorial Park.

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