Sgt Randy Travis Klafert died last Tuesday. Klafert's sister said he had no known health issues.
Klafert, the youngest of four, spent five years in the Marines, which included a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The family is awaiting a toxicology report.
Klafert was born in Alabama where he went to high school, but moved up to Brookfield live with his brother after graduation.
Klafert's mother still lives in Alabama and was coming into town along with other family members for Friday's visitation and Saturday's funeral service.
Visitation
Friday, October 19, 2012
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Cypress Funeral Home
1698 N. Bloomingdale Road
Glendale Heights, Illinois
He was born in Villa Park to Robin and Randy Klafert and attended Sardis High School in Boaz, Ala., and graduated in 2005.
Klafert also studied culinary arts at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago.
In 2007, Klafert joined the United States Marine Corps Unit HMLA 167 as a Cobra Helicopter Mechanic. He served the first part of his four-year term stationed in Okinawa, Japan. After an eight-month tour in Afghanistan he obtained the rank of sergeant.
"Randy's life seems too short to many, but those who were touched by him are coming to understand that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives," his obituary says. "He has left behind an impression to make goals and prioritize your life in order to make them happen. He encouraged others to not be afraid to work hard to turn their goals into a reality. Though obstacles presented themselves often in the path of his life, he saw them as challenges to overcome. When life's circumstances threw knockout punches, Randy got right back in the ring and came out swinging."
Klafert is survived by his wife Stephanie, his mother, brothers Angelo and Timothy Pulli, sister Binky Rainwater, sisters-in-laws Mary and Michelle Pulli, brother-in-law Glen Rainwater and 13 nieces and nephews.
