Sgt. Michael Christopher Hardegree

Sgt. Michael Christopher Hardegree, age 21, of Villa Rica, was killed in action Monday, September 10, 2007, in Iraq while serving his country in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. Mike was born December 20, 1985, in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Stan and Cindy Hardegree. He was a 2004 graduate of Villa Rica High School and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Following graduation, Mike enlisted in the United States Army in July 2004 and was deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2006. Mike was a third generation member of the 82nd Airborne Division following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. In July 2007, Mike earned the rank of Seargent. Mike enjoyed golfing and playing pool. He loved spending time with his family and friends and was a true patriot. Mikeâ€™s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with â€œVâ€ Device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantrymanâ€™s Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He also wore Irish Parachute Wings Survivors include his parents, Stan and Cindy Hardegree, Villa Rica, Cpt. Derrick and Beth Shaw, Ft. Monroe, VA, nieces, Lilly and Anna Shaw, Ft. Monroe, VA, maternal grandmother, Shirley Miller, Villa Rica, paternal grandparents, Tom and Virginia Hardegree, Carrollton, aunts and uncles, Kay and David Mecklin, Carrollton, and Becky and Keith Rollins, Villa Rica, cousins, Lindsay Elkins, Carrollton, Andrew Mecklin, Carrollton, Raleigh Mecklin, James M. Barnes and Caroline Barnes, Villa Rica, Samatha and Will Rollins, Villa Rica, and friend and adopted family member, Braden Barden, Villa Rica. Mike was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Bobby Miller. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 4 oâ€™clock p.m. from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Father Paul Williams officiating. Sgt. Wesley Smith of the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division will serve as the official military escort. The United States Army Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Braden Barden, Curtis Cole, Josh Busby, Adam Bennett, Casey Hurst, Edward Hurst, Kinney Taylor, Keith Rollins, David Mecklin, John Massey, Bob Kruger, and Jeff Powley. Following the service, the family will receive friends in The Carroll Center. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, September 19, 2007, from 1:00 until 3:00 oâ€™clock p.m. and from 5:00 until 7:00 oâ€™clock p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 oâ€™clock p.m. Interment services will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2007, at 11 oâ€™clock a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Army Emergency Relief, Attn: Donations, 200 Stovall Street, Room 5-13, Alexandria, VA 22332-0600, or The National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2600 Network Blvd, Suite 100, Frisco, TX 75034. To send condolences to the family, please visit our website at www.jcollinsfuneralhome.com J. Collins Funeral Home & Cremation Service in charge of arrangements.

Sgt. Michael Christopher Hardegree

December 20, 1985 - September 10, 2007