LCpl. Michael Cifuentes,USMC

The family of LCpl. Michael Cifuentes wishes to express our deepest gratitude to our

friends and the entire community for their prayers and support during this difficult time. Please continue to pray for the health and well-being of the military families who have lost loved ones, and especially pray for the safe return home of those who still serve on foreign soil.

Memorials may be made in Michael's name to the American Red Cross-Butler County, American Red Cross-Hamilton County, or other local Red Cross chapter of choice.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.avancefuneralhome.com. Cards and letters of

support may also be mailed to:

Family of LCpl. Michael Cifuentes

c/o Avance Funeral Home & Crematory

4976 Winton Rd.

Fairfield, OH 45014

Lance Corporal Michael J. Cifuentes, USMC age 25 of Oxford passed away as a result of injuries sustained in hostile action in Barwanah, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Michael was born June 25, 1980 in Hamilton, the son of Gregory J. and Carolyn (Brown) Cifuentes. He graduated from St. Xavier High School and Miami University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Before getting his call to duty Michael was in the process of obtaining a Master's Degree in Integrated Mathematics from MU. LCpl. Cifuentes was a parishioner of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford.

Michael will always be remembered for his beautiful smile and sense of humor. He lived the motto "Men for Others."

He is survived by his loving parents, Gregory and Carolyn Cifuentes; fiance, Tara Reynolds and her family; brother, Daniel Cifuentes; grandparents, James and Jean Cifuentes; uncles/aunts, Martin/Cindy Cifuentes, James/Renee Cifuentes, Susan Keane, John/Donna Brown, Matthew/Robin Cifuentes, Patrick/Shari Cifuentes, Michael/Beth Jones, Joel/Melissa Cifuentes, David/Nancy Cifuentes, James/Terri Brown, Mark/Cindy Hinkle, Kenneth/Teresa Brown; preceded in death by grandparents Kenneth and Josephine Brown.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Fairfield Fire Chief Donald G. Bennett, Captain Russell Kammer, the Fairfield Fire Department, Bryan Avance and the staff of Avance Funeral Home & Crematory, Captain Michael Jylkka USMC, SSgt. Bernard Daley USMC, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones and staff, Butler County Sheriff Deputy Best, Fr. Len Fecko, Bobbi Kinne and staff of St. Mary's Church in Oxford, Fr. Mike Puckey from St Julie Billiart's Church in Hamilton, Dr. Robert Farrell, Superintendent of Fairfield City Schools, the staff of Central Elementary School, City administrations for the City of Fairfield and City of Hamilton, Fairfield and Hamilton Police Departments, Frame and Save Oxford, Jim Brown with International Paper, Liz Woedle, Terry and Vickie Griffin, Joe and Debbie Reed, relatives, neighbors, friends known and unknown, and a special thank you to Wendy Weaver and Karen Burdine. Also, they would like to offer their prayers to all of the other military families who have lost loved ones, and to those who still have loved ones fighting on foreign soil.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Monday August 15, 2005 at the St. Julie Billiart Church, 224 Dayton St., Hamilton, OH 45011. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati. A private prayer service will begin at 3 p.m., followed with a prayer service for uniformed personnel with public visitation from 3:30 -7 p.m., Sunday August 14 at the Fairfield High School Gymnasium, 8800 Holden Blvd., Fairfield, OH 45014. Memorials: American Red Cross-Butler County Chapter, 1227 Central Ave., Middletown, OH. Information and Condolences: www.avancefuneralhome.com.

Visitation

Sunday, August 14, 2005 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. Fairfield High School

Service

Monday, August 15, 2005 10:00 a.m. St. Julie Billiart Church

 Service Information