U.S. Army Spec. Michael L. Gonzalez

Spec. Gonzalez, 20, of Spotswood, died Aug. 28, 2008, in Iraq of injuries sustained when an improvised device exploded. He was assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade, 95th Military Police Battalion, of the 340th Military Police Company. His home unit was the 430th Military Police Detachment, Red Bank. He enlisted in the Army during his senior year at Spotswood High School and left for basic training after his graduation in 2006. While in high school, he worked as a cashier at ShopRite of East Brunswick, and prior to that at ShopRite of Spotswood. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, John B. and Lillian Leiby. Surviving are his parents, Pedro and Ida Leiby Gonzalez; a brother, Troy, at home; his paternal grandparents, Maria and Alberto Gonzalez; his girlfriend, Tiffany Loving; a cousin, Jonathan Nourse; and many aunts, uncles and additional cousins. Visitation was held at Brunswick MemorialHome, East Brunswick. Services were held at Spotswood Reformed Church. The deceased's cremated remains were entombed in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Adopt A U.S. Soldier, 7440 S. Blackhawk St., Suite 15-106, Englewood, CO 80112 (online at www.adoptaussoldier.org), or to any local food bank or blood bank.