Jeffrey Robert Wallace, 20, of Hoopeston, died May 23, 2005 while on military duty in Iraq.

He was born in Hoopeston, the son of Brian Scott and Tammy Lee Burress Wallace.

He married Sarah Jayne Gossett on Nov. 24, 2004. She survives and expecting a child in September.

He is also survived by a son, Aden; father and stepmother, Scott and Lee Wallace; mother and stepfather, Tammy and Tracy Grabinski; brothers, Brandyn (Courtney) Wallace, Chris Weber and James Casteel; sisters, Chrystal Scott and Michelle Weber and grandparents, Robert and Beverly Wallace, Robert Burress and Sandy Burress.

Mr. Wallace graduated from Hoopeston Area High School in 2003, where he participated in football and wrestling. He was a private first class in the Army and went to Iraq in January.
Her served with. 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

News-Gazette, The (Champaign-Urbana, IL) - Friday, June 3, 2005

One by one, they stood up from the pews inside the First Christian Church.

The hundreds of people who gathered Saturday stood tall as the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" echoed at the funeral for Army Pfc. Jeffrey R. Wallace, 20, who died in Iraq on May 23.

They all stood tall just the way Scott Wallace remembers his son doing as he left for Iraq in January. Mostly, they all stood tall for the man they called their hero.

"We just want everyone to understand this kid was a hero," said Shaun McMillan, a friend of the family. "He was over there fighting for all of us so we can enjoy our ways of life."

Mr. Wallace was a hero to his family, friends and the rest of this town of 6,000.

Eric Shuler, a representative of the lieutenant governor's office, said he was also a hero to his state and country.

"Duty, honor, country; Pfc. Jeff Wallace was all of that," Shuler said.

Shuler said that, too often, people think of baseball players and rock stars as heroes and role models.

"Those aren't the real heroes and role models," he said. "The real heroes are those who put on the United States of America uniform and protect their country. We as a state, a nation, have lost a true American hero."

In Mr. Wallace's honor, American flags hanging outside all government buildings in the state were flown at half-staff upon Gov. Rod Blagojevich's request.

The service began with the singing of "Amazing Grace" by Rita Holmes, who said she was privileged to honor Mr. Wallace with a song.

"He did a great thing for our country," she said.

The Rev. Darryl McDaniel and the Rev. James Lloyd led the service with different readings, including a poem Scott Wallace wrote for his son.

Mr. Wallace was remembered for his happy attitude and always having a smile on his face.

"He was an American soldier, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, neighbor and, most recently, a very proud and loving husband and father," McDaniel read from a statement prepared by the family.

Mr. Wallace is survived by his wife Sara, his son Aden and another child who is due to be born in September.

As 122 cars followed Mr. Wallace to his final resting place at Floral Hill Cemetery, about 100 more people stood along Market Street waving American flags.

One of those paying respects was Chuck Crozier, Mr. Wallace's youth football coach. Crozier remembers Mr. Wallace as not always being the biggest player on the field, but still not backing down from any challenge.

"Jeff was a type of person that would face adversity and take it head on," he said. "He was just one of those kids that had that, and that can't be coached."

Crozier said he wasn't surprised by the number of people who lined the street and showed support for Mr. Wallace and his family.

"That's just the way the community is," he said. "Jeff will always be our hero."

News-Gazette, The (Champaign-Urbana, IL) - Sunday, June 5, 2005