Mount Vernon News -- MOUNT VERNON — Sgt. Benjamin J. Laymon, 22, of Mount Vernon died Saturday, June 24, 2006, as a result of an IED explosion while serving his country in South Baghdad, Iraq.

Benjamin was born on Nov. 15, 1983, in Mount Vernon. He was a 2002 graduate of Mount Vernon High School where he played varsity football. He enlisted into the Army in September 2002 and received his basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. Following basic training, he received advanced infantry training in Fort Sill, Okla., and paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Ga. In January 2003 he reported to Fort Hood, Texas, where he was assigned to the 3-16th attached to Task Force Ironhorse 4th Infantry Division and received his deployment orders to Iraq for his first tour of duty in March 2003. Following his tour of duty he returned to Fort Hood in March 2004. Ben was promoted to sergeant that spring and also received training on the Bradley fighting vehicle before returning for his second tour of duty in Iraq in November 2005.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Gale (David) Harstine, and father, James (Kathy) Laymon, both of Mount Vernon; three brothers, Trevor (Jennifer) Purdy of Mount Vernon, Curt (Laura) Purdy of Columbus and Andrew Laymon of Mount Vernon; maternal grandmother, Loretta Wiseman, and paternal grandmother, Irene Fowler, both of Mount Vernon; aunts, Beverly (James) Sivits of Gambier, Pat (John) Scott and Judy Fowler, both of Mount Vernon, and Judy (Bob) Tubbs of Williamsburg, Va.; uncles, Ronald (Candy) Laymon of Mount Vernon, Richard (Shirley) Laymon of Newark and George (Jeane) Fowler of Gambier; special friend, Jessica Frazee of Columbus; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a maternal grandfather, Roy Wiseman; paternal grandfather, Howard Laymon; and uncle, Bob Fowler.

Ben will be sadly missed by family and friends, but long remembered for his fun-loving spirit and his love for children.

Funeral services will be announced in a later edition of the Mount Vernon News. The North-Dilley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

Memorial contributions may be made in Ben’s name to Mount Vernon Schools Athletic Dept., 300 Newark Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. This obituary, along with an online registry page, may be viewed at www.dilleyfuneralservice.com.