Corporal Adam Thomas Mckiski

Corporal Adam Thomas McKiski, died on Thursday, August 7, 2008 during a volunteer mission in Iraq.  Adam was born November 26, 1986 in Rockford, the son of Hal McKiski and Mary (Wearsch) McKiski.  Adam married Jamie L. Kruse (his love) on August 5, 2006.   Adam was the yearbook and newspaper computer technician at Jefferson High School and graduated in 2005. Adam always wanted to be in the military and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp on July 23, 2005.  His primary duty in the Marines was a Towed Artillery Systems Technician until he volunteered for recovery missions in Iraq as a gunner.  He provided 3rd and 4th Echelon Repairs to the M777 Light Weight  Howitzer.  He was assigned to the Ordnance Section which consisted of Small Arms Repair, Electro Optics Repair and Howitzer Repairs.  He was also a gunner for the Recovery Teams used for recovery reports.  He was truly a man of high principles and integrity and was loyal to his family, friends, and fellow servicemen. He was a patriot and a hero. His favorite place was the family cabin in northern Minnesota where he enjoyed fishing and waterskiing.   Adam loved paintballing, snowboarding, flying, camping, swimming, off roading trips and Iron Sights Shooting Range in Oceanside, CA.  He loved his 2001 W6 Ram Air Black Trans Am and truly loved his one year old Siberian Husky, Kaylee.  Adam rarely went anywhere without Kaylee.  He took her hiking, to the beach and even off roading.     Adam is survived by his wife, Jamie; his faithful companion, Kaylee; his parents, Hal and Mary McKiski; his sister, Emily McKiski; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Doug and Robin Kruse; his sister-in-law, Jenna Kruse; his grandparents, Herb and Ruth McKiski and Bob and Norma Wearsch; his aunts and uncles, Tom McKiski, Nancy (Rod) Stevens, Brenda (Jim) Rummage, Linda (Mark) Hughes, Greg (Karen) Wearsch, Jeff (Sue) Wearsch, Kevin Wearsch and Brian (Kathy) Wearsch and many cousins, dear close friends and his military family.  Adam was predeceased by his grandmother, Alma Wearsch and his cousin Michael Rumage.  Adam will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and his memory should serve as a reminder of the sacrifices that some of the best young men and women in America have made for their country.   Funeral services for Corporal Adam Thomas McKiski will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural Street, Rockford with Rev. Dr. William R. Kerr, Sr. officiating. Burial will be private.  A visitation will be held on Friday, August 15, 2008 from 3 8 p.m. at the church and on Saturday from 9 11 a.m. at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Adam McKiski Memorial Fund C/O Stillman Bank, 8492 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108. Family and friends may