Courier Post -- In his last e-mail to Mike Nolan, Staff Sgt. Joseph Michael Weiglein assured his best friend that things were calming down in Iraq.

The e-mail came May 26. Three days later, Weiglein, an infantry squad leader, was killed along with another soldier when an improvised explosive device detonated close by while they were on foot patrol, according to the Department of Defense.

Now, the close-knit community of Audubon is mourning the loss of one of its own.

Weiglein, 31, was killed Tuesday in Ilbu Falris, Iraq, the Defense Department said Thursday. Weiglein was with the 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, N.Y.

Reached at home in Audubon, Weiglein's mother, Ellen, said Thursday she was too upset to talk.

Nolan, a middle school teacher in Hammonton, said news of his friend's death is just sinking in for the family and that Weiglein's wife was on her way to New Jersey to be with his parents and two sisters.

Weiglein's mother is a former Audubon school board member, serving from 1981 to 1989. Weiglein graduated from Audubon High in 1994 and played varsity soccer.

Teachers and administrators in the Audubon School District remember Weiglein as a well-liked student who was responsible and respectful to others.

"He was also very fun to be around," said Donald Borden, who was his history teacher at Audubon High School. "He was the boy next door. He surely will be missed."

Haviland Elementary School, which Weiglein attended, adopted him last year at Nolan's suggestion. Nolan's mother, Joan, is a secretary at the school.

Weiglein's unit received letters and a box of Tastykakes, beef jerky, Christmas ornaments, and cards from the Haviland students.

"He makes what's going on in Iraq a much more personal thing," said Haviland Principal Carleene Slowik.

In January, Weiglein visited the school while on leave, meeting the children and answering their questions.

Weiglein did not leave until every last question was answered, the principal said.

Slowik, who talked to Weiglein recently, said Weiglein felt bad that the men in his unit had not been able to write to her students lately because they had been on assignment and unable to e-mail.

Slowik sent home a letter to her students' parents notifying them of Weiglein's death and providing advice on helping their children grieve.

Haviland is planning a tribute in Weiglein's memory but is waiting for word from his wife as to what type of tribute she would like.

Nolan said he and Weiglein have been friends since they were 2 years old, when the Weiglein family moved across the street from his home.

As kids, the two swam, played soccer and were members of the high school golf team. They were always together no matter what activity they were involved in, Nolan said.

When they graduated from high school, Nolan said they chose different paths: Nolan went off to college and Weiglein joined the military. Weiglein enlisted in the Army in August 1995, and arrived in Fort Drum in October 2005.

He had previously served in Fort Stewart, Ga.; Camp Hovey, Korea; Fort Riley, Kan.; and the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Beckley, W.Va., according to the Army. His military awards include the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

It was while Weiglein was working as a recruiter that he decided he was needed more on the battlefield than sitting behind a desk, Nolan said.

"He made a choice to be in Iraq," Nolan said.

Weiglein and wife, Jennifer, had been married for 4 1/2 years; they have no children, Nolan said.

Weiglein was a diehard Eagles fan and when he came home for a three-week leave in January, Nolan, Weiglein and his wife attended the Eagles-Giants playoff game.

Nolan said they kept in touch mainly through e-mail, communicating three to four times a week when Weiglein was stateside.

In their last e-mail, Nolan expressed concern for his best friend's safety.

"He was a great friend and a great soldier," Nolan said. "He touched so many people's lives."