STEPHEN M. WOLCHOK

WOLCHOK, STEPHEN M. Marine Corporal Stephen Michael Wolchok, born February 21, 1981 at Lee County Hospital in Opelika, Alabama, has passed away.

Stephen's military service from December 4, 2007 to 2011 included a tour of duty in Iraq with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron HMLA 167 for Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Marine Corps Rifle Marksmanship Sharpshooter Badge.

Stephen was a graduate of the School of Infantry East - Marine Combat Training at Paris Island, and became a Helicopter Airframe Mechanic specializing in Huey and Cobra attack helicopters at primary military specialty school with Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 aboard Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. In addition to HMLA 167, he was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing aboard New River Marine Air Station, North Carolina. Stephen and his family lived in Alabama most of his life.

He attended Shelby County Schools, earning several Presidential Awards for Physical Fitness and graduating from Chelsea High School in 1999.

At Virginia College on an academic scholarship, he achieved his Computer Animation and Design Degree.

Stephen was baptized as an infant in 1981 at First Presbyterian Church of Opelika and later professed his Christian faith at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. He was also a member of New City Church, Birmingham.

He lovingly served as primary caregiver for his maternal grandmother, Donna R. Rhodes, until her September 2007 passing.

Also preceding him in death were his maternal grandfather, Bill Rhodes; paternal grandfather, Stephen Wolchok; and a host of others.

Survivors include Stephen's parents, Greg and Ellen Rhodes Wolchok; brother, Greg Wolchok, Jr.; sister, Christina Wolchok; paternal grandmother, Sophie Wolchok; aunts and uncles, Dee Rhodes Milligan, Bill Milligan, Cathy and Billy Schumacher, and Patty and Jack Levine; great-aunt, Eve Robinson; cousins, Billy, Richie, and Michael Schumacher, Jennifer Levine Marmaduke, Meredith Levine Zouski, and Blaine, Wiley, Will, and Betsy Milligan.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2011 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Briarwood Presbyterian Church.

Burial following in Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama.

Published in The Birmingham News from November 29 to November 30, 2011.