Remains of soldier killed in Korean War return to Rock Falls – Shaw Local

ROCK FALLS – The remains of a Rock Falls man who was reported missing while serving in the Korean War arrived at a Rock Falls funeral home Thursday and will be buried with full military honors next week.

U.S. Army Cpl. Richard Seloover, then 17, disappeared in action on Sept. 6, 1950; he was reported missing on Jan. 10 after Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency scientists identified his remains. He will be buried Tuesday, June 4, with full military honors at Coloma Township Cemetery, 908 Avalon St., Rock Falls, according to a news release from Rolling Thunder Inc.

( Remains of Rock Falls man killed in Korean War identified )

Seloover’s remains were collected from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 30. Members of the Region 1 Illinois Patriot Guard Riders, a driver from the McDonald Funeral Home and the Illinois State Police picked up the remains. After the presentation of the flag and a salute ceremony, the funeral procession made its way to the McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls.

Members of Rolling Thunder Inc., Illinois Chapter 2 and Region 2 of the Illinois Patriot Guard Riders joined the procession in DeKalb and continued along Interstate 88 before arriving in Rock Falls on U.S. Route 30, where Rock Falls Police provided traffic control before following the escort.

The escort, led by an Illinois State Police patrol car and members of the Illinois Patriot Guard Riders Region 1, arrived at the funeral home around 4 p.m. as the national anthem was played.

Members of Rolling Thunder Inc., Illinois Chapter 2 and Illinois Patriot Guard Riders saluted the body as it was taken to the funeral home for family and patriot groups to pay their respects.

“It’s a great honor and privilege (to bring a soldier home). For 75 years he lay there unrecognized and now we’ve finally brought him home,” said David Gier, senior ride captain of the Region 1 Illinois Patriot Guard, in an interview with Shaw Local.

One family member who was present was 5 years old when Seloover went to fight in the Korean War. That family member recalled that Seloover’s mother said her “biggest regret was signing the papers” so he could join the military, since he was 17 at the time, Gier said.

Seloover will be buried at the Coloma Township Cemetery on Tuesday, June 4. Funeral services will be held from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at the McDonald Funeral Home, and the hearse will be escorted to the cemetery at 10:45 a.m.

( Rock Falls man killed in Korean War to be buried next week at Coloma Cemetery )

Tuesday’s escort will include the Rock Falls Fire Department and Police Department, as well as motorcycles from Rolling Thunder Inc., Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

After arriving at the cemetery, a funeral service with full military honors will be held. A group of uniformed active military personnel will perform the tattoo, gun salutes and the folding of an American flag, Kora Magill, mortician at McDonald Funeral Home, said in an interview with Shaw Local.

Bill Hermann, senior ride captain of the Illinois Patriot Guard of Region 2, will perform the graveside ceremony, a member of the Illinois Patriot Guard of Region 1 said in an interview with Shaw Local.

Additionally, members of Rolling Thunder from Illinois Chapter 2 will give a speech and present a flag, Magill said.

An obituary for Seloover is posted on the McDonald Funeral Home website at mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com.