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TAMAROA, IL (KTVI) – A U.S. Army soldier from Tamaroa, Illinois was killed in action over the weekend.

PFC Tyler Iubelt, 20, leaves behind a wife and a young daughter.

Rain Demarzo, a close friend of Iubelt’s, plans on serving as pallbearer when his former Pinkneyville High School classmate is laid to rest.

“We’re so thankful he did what he did, but the fact that he’s no longer with us – it’s just unreal,” Demarzo said. “It’s very surreal right now.”

Iubelt was killed in Afghanistan Saturday by a suspected suicide bomber, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. A second solider, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Perry from California, was also killed. Perry was 30.

Demarzo said many friends were still too choked up to talk with us about Iubelt’s service.

“I just miss him so much,” said Demarzo. “It’s just ridiculous.”

Demarzo said his friend not only loved his country but loved his wife and daughter tremendously.

“He loved her so much. His daughter was everything to him too, and she just thought the world of him,” said Demarzo. “It definitely brings a tear to my eye.”