Belleville News Democrat -- A Belleville soldier died doing what he loved, family and friends said Tuesday.

Army Spc. David A. Schaefer Jr., 27, died Saturday in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit .

"He was born to serve his country," his wife, Shelly, said. "He wanted to be a soldier -- that's all he talked about when he was younger -- and that's what he did."

The Schaefers last talked on Thursday, and David Schaefer told his wife everything was fine. They discussed their plans to move their family -- Jason Phillips 13, Logan Schaefer, 7, and Savanna Schaefer, 6 -- to Germany as soon as what was his second tour in Iraq ended in November.

Shelly said her husband took good care of his family, and loved his children. They often watched motorcross together.

"He loved being in the Army,"Army Sgt. Joshua Wood said of his friend. "He loved being an infantry soldier."

Wood got to know Schaefer in 2006, when Schaefer decided to make the leap to active duty after serving in the National Guard.

"Davey had a heck of personality; he's just a magnetic person," Wood said. "You really couldn't meet the person and not like him."

Schaefer was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Schweinfurt, Germany.

"He died doing what he loved," said Wood, of Fort Bragg, N.C.

Schaefer's father, David A. Schaefer Sr., said: "His memory will always be in my soul."

Schaefer's aunt and uncle, Karen and Danny Schaefer, of Belleville, said their nephew visited them before he enlisted, and his excitement about joining the military was tangible.

"Like all young men, he got himself all ripped up and excited about going into the Army," Karen Schaefer said. "I answered the door and didn't recognize him. He said, 'Aunt Karen, it's Little Davey!' and I gave him a big 'ol hug. He did good for himself."

Schaefer attended Freeburg High School, but left before he graduated, they said, but got his life in order -- he got his GED and quit smoking, drinking and cursing -- because he wanted to join the Army.

Karen Schaefer said her fond memories of "Little Davey" and his three siblings include family trips that involved camping, fishing and swimming.

"I want them to remember him as a hero," Danny Schaefer said. "I think his goal in life was to go to the service, and he fulfilled that. He went over there to fight for his country. He'll always be tops in my books."

Schaefer's remains were returned Monday to the United States; his casket was brought to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

George Renner & Sons Funeral Homes, in Belleville, is handling services, which are pending.