Cpl. Sara Medina of Aurora was taken from the world too soon, but her name and service to her country will be remembered tomorrow (Wednesday, June 3, 2015) at a funeral service with full military honors.

The Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission received notice today regarding the memorial service for the active duty Marine who was killed in a helicopter crash while providing earthquake disaster assistance in Nepal. Services will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at Saint Mary Immaculate Church, 15629 South IL Route 59, in Plainfield.

Medina, 23, was one of the six U.S. Marines who died May 12 in the helicopter crash eight miles north of Charikot. She served as a combat photographer with Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. According to an article on the marines.mil website, she was deployed in support of Operation Sahayogi Haat.

The crashed helicopter was delivering rice and tarps as part of a U.S. relief mission deployed after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake hit Nepal on April 25, killing at least 117 people and injuring about 2,800, according to media reports.

Flags across the state of Illinois have flown at half staff in honor of Medina and her service.

“Cpl. Sara Medina made the ultimate sacrifice while assisting the people of Nepal during their time of crisis, and her death is a loss for the state of Illinois and the nation,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said. “Cpl. Medina’s courage and dedication to serving and protecting others makes her a role model for all of us. She will never be forgotten.”

According to a post on the East Aurora School District 131 website, Medina was a 2010 graduate of East Aurora High School. She attended Bardwell Elementary School, Simmons and Waldo middle schools. At East Aurora High School, she was a member of NJROTC.

Medina’s body is expected to arrive at O’Hare International Airport at approximately 12:40 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. There will then be a procession to Overman-Jones Funeral Home, 15219 South Joliet Road, Plainfield.

The Project Patriotism group has asked volunteers to line the route near the funeral home with American flags. More information can be found at the Project Patriotism page. Medina’s family will gather privately this afternoon, the District 131 website said.

Plainfield police expect intermittent road closures and traffic congestion near the funeral home and church Tuesday and Wednesday.

Online Obituary

SOURCE: Friedrich Jones Funeral Home website

Corporal Sara A. Medina, USMC

November 27, 1991 – May 12, 2015

Corporal Sara A. Medina, USMC, a true American hero, passed away on May 12, 2015 while helping the people of Nepal affected by the recent earthquake.

Funeral Information

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 3, noon until 5 PM at St. Mary Immaculate Church, 15629 S. Route 59, Plainfield. A Funeral Service will be held at 5 PM at the church with full military honors conducted under the auspices of the United State Marine Corps. Additional services and interment will be in Durango, Mexico.