Funeral for Army sergeant to take place in his metro-east hometown
A funeral service with full military honors for Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Wilbur, who died in a noncombat related incident Aug. 12 in Afghanistan, is scheduled to take place in Wilbur’s hometown of Granite City this week.
A visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City, followed by the service at 2 p.m., according to Wilbur’s obituary.
Wilbur, 36, graduated from Granite City High School in 1998 and began serving in the Army in 2005.
He belonged to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, which is stationed in Fort Carson, Colo. His deployment to Afghanistan was his fourth tour. He had one earlier tour in Afghanistan and two in Iraq.
Wilbur’s military awards include four Army Commendation medals, two Army Achievement medals, four Army Good Conduct medals, a National Defense Service Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign medals with Campaign Star, an Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas ribbons, a NATO Medal, a Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, a Combat Infantryman Badge and an Air Assault Badge.
He was a faithful and loving husband, father, son and brother and will forever be remembered for the love and special times shared with his family and the service he gave to his country.
Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Wilbur’s obituary
His death was under investigation last week. According to the Pentagon, Wilbur was involved in operations connected with tamping down terrorist activity in Afghanistan dubbed Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, which was launched in 2015.
Wilbur’s obituary calls him a “true history buff” and avid reader. He loved outdoor activities like camping, hiking, rock climbing and snowboarding, the obituary states. Wilbur also enjoyed playing chess and watching baseball, especially when the St. Louis Cardinals were playing.
Wilbur is survived by his wife, two young children, ages 6 and 2, as well as his mother, father and stepmother, and two siblings.
“He was a faithful and loving husband, father, son and brother and will forever be remembered for the love and special times shared with his family and the service he gave to his country,” the obituary states.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to The Fisher House Foundation for Families of the Fallen.
Correction: Earlier versions of this story incorrectly reported the date of the funeral procession for Staff Sgt. Christopher Wilbur. The procession was on Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published August 21, 2016 at 11:08 AM with the headline "Funeral for Army sergeant to take place in his metro-east hometown."