Family copes with death of local Marine killed in Iraq

GREENHILL -- Reality set in Monday for the family of U.S. Marine Cpl. Matthew Conley.

"We're doing about as well as to be expected under the circumstances,'' said Conley's mother, Debbie.

Members of Conley's family met with U.S. Marine Corps representatives Monday afternoon to make plans to celebrate Conley's life.

The 21-year-old Shoals resident died Saturday afternoon, local time, while on security patrol in the province of Al-Anbar. An improvised exploding device detonated near the Humvee in which he was a passenger.

He is the first Shoals resident to die in the war in Iraq.

A former Florence resident, Army Ranger Andrew Chris, who graduated from Bradshaw High School, died in June 2003 in Baghdad when a car bomb exploded near his vehicle.

Conley, a 2002 graduate of Rogers High School, was stationed in Ramadi, Iraq. He was a squad leader for the U.S. Marine Corps 37th Weaponry Division, stationed at 29 Palms, Calif., and had been in Iraq since September 2005. He was scheduled to leave March 6.

Conley's father-in-law, Dewayne Newton, said Monday was a tough day for his daughter, Nicole.

"Having to make plans and arrangements was tough on her,'' Newton said. "But the Marines were great. They really helped Nicole and the entire family.''

Conley and Nicole married in July 2003. Nicole is due to give birth to their baby in March.

Family said plans have not been finalized, but they expect to have the funeral later in the week. Newton said the service will be a full military funeral.

"We're hoping the body will be here Wednesday or Thursday,'' his mother said.

She said the funeral will likely be in Rogers High School gymnasium. Greenhill Funeral Home will be assisting the family with the arrangements.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.