ElGIN, Ill. ( WBBM NEWSRADIO) --The public is invited to say good-bye to a 77-year-old army veteran from South Elgin who died last month.
Army sgt. Michael Pump died on Oct. 9. He lived at the Heritage Woods Supportive Living Center in South Elgin.
After the army, he was a truck driver in Chicago. 14 years ago he lost a leg to diabetes and most of his face to surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his face.
The public is invited to take part in a memorial service for Pump at the Symonds Madison funeral home in Elgin.
Owner Joy Symonds said her husband, funeral director Daniel Symonds believes in making sure that veterans who die alone are buried with full military honors.
"Out of that have come this great community of people who not only want to be there for the services but also wanna back up and be there for veterans before they leave us to let them know they're supported," she said.
Pump later developed a close friendship with hairstylist and therapy dog owner Cathie Kross and her family. Kross said they bonded over their love of old cars, classic rock, and the Blackhawks.
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