Pregnant Marine called friendly but tough

Pregnant Marine called friendly but tough
By James Hannah - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Jan 12, 2008 16:26:24 EST

VANDALIA, Ohio — The apparent death of a pregnant Marine has stunned her hometown friends, who described Lance Cpl. Maria Frances Lauterbach as friendly and polite but athletic and tough — a person who wouldn’t be bullied.

Remains thought to be Lauterbach’s were found Saturday in a fire pit in the back yard of a fellow Marine corporal, authorities said.

Her neighbors remembered her as vibrant.

“What I remember was her zest for living,” said neighbor Kent Zimmerman. “She loved sports. Whatever the game in the neighborhood was, she was in it. She played at 110 percent. She always wanted to win, but she played fair.”

Standing outside Vandalia-Butler High School on Saturday, Darren Himsworth talked about Lauterbach as he awaited baseball practice.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_marineremembered_080112/