Sergeant James R. McIlvaine, age 26, was killed in Iraq April 30, 2009 serving his country in the United States Marine Corps. James was born September 24, 1982 in Olney, MD to Joanne E. Ryan and the late Michael S. McIlvaine.

Sgt McIlvaine is survived by his wife Sheryl M. McIlvaine of Twentynine Palms, CA two children Michael T. McIlvaine and Alexa N. McIlvaine both of Twentynine Palms, CA, mother and step-father Joanne E. and Mike S. Ryan of Purcellville, VA, four sisters Shannon, Ally, and Katie all of Purcellville, VA, and Airen of Frederick, MD and grandparents William and Katherine Muncy of Ocean Pines, MD and Patricia DeSimone of Olney, MD.

He began school at Olney elementary and graduated from Massanutten Military Academy. He graduated as a member of the National Honor Society and was awarded a commission to Virginia Military Institute. After High School, he joined the Marine Corps February 28, 2001 and attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina May 10, 2001. He married Sheryl M. Schneider August 5, 2001.

While serving in the Marine Corps Sheryl and James had their two children Michael and Alexa. James McIlvaine was a proud and honorable husband, father, son and Marine who will be honored at Hall Funeral Home, Purcellville, VA on Wednesday, May 6 from 1-3p.m. and 7-9p.m. with a memorial service at 8p.m. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery May 12, 2009 at 1p.m. In lieu of flowers and gifts the family requests donations to be mailed to Middleburg Bank P.O. box 2250 Purcellville, VA 20134. Make checks payable to Sergeant James R. McIlvaine Memorial Fund.

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