Slain soldier was 'angel of the family'

BOLINGBROOK -- Michael Pearson, the 21-year-old Bolingbrook man who died in the Fort Hood massacre Thursday, was remembered as "the angel of the family," a good student and a virtuoso musician who relished time with family and friends.

And his death has left loved ones, and an entire community, in shock and disbelief.

"I was preparing for him to come home for Christmas, and I knew he would probably be deployed in January," said his mother Sheryll Pearson, as she fought back tears while talking to the press outside the family's townhouse late Friday afternoon.

"It still doesn't seem real to me ... We would just sit up and talk all night long.

"He was my best friend and I miss him."

Pearson, a 2006 graduate of Bolingbrook High School, joined the U. S. Army in October 2008 to serve his country and "to do something with his life" said his mother. He had been training with an engineering unit to learn how to defuse explosives and roadside bombs.

"He was proud of what he was doing," Sheryll Pearson said.

Family and friends described the young man as a talented musician who played piano and guitar, and loved to spend time with his family.

"He was a prolific song writer, he was a virtuoso guitarist," said his cousin Mike Dostalek. "Jimi Hendrix was his idol and he looked a little like him when he played.

Jessica Koerber, 26, went to high school with Pearson's older sister and was with the family -- which also includes Sheryll Pearson's husband Jeff and two brothers -- Thursday evening after they learned around 6:30 p.m. Michael was among those who had been shot. The private first class was preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan when police say Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire on a large group of soldiers at the Texas military base.

"He is going to pull through. God is not going to take him because he had never done anything wrong in his life," Koerber recalled thinking at the time.

Around 10 p.m., the family learned Michael had died of his wounds. He had been shot three times.

Koerber said "Mikey was a soft spoken kid who would spend hours" teaching her video games in his basement.

"He was a quiet guy, but you could give him a guitar and he could go all day long," she added. "You know how they make statements that some kids are perfect, like the little angel of the family? That was Mikey."

Pearson's mother wouldn't discuss alleged gunman Hasan, saying the family's thoughts are with those harmed by the attack.

"Our prayers are with all the other families that are going through this," she said.

As news broke early Friday morning that a Bolingbrook native was among the 13 killed and 31 injured in the shooting spree, Bolingbrook police arrived to help deal with the media swarms that descended upon the Pearson's home in the 100 block of Beaconridge Drive.

"The family requested that they be left alone," said Sgt. Steve Schaeffer.

The home has a yellow ribbon abound its porch light. A "United We Stand" placard is on the door.

Arthur Taylor, commander of the Bolingbrook American Legion, said his post and other organizations plan to do something for the family, but are holding off until they can talk to Pearson's loved ones.

"It's tragic ... to lose somebody before they even go overseas. And one of our own did it," said Taylor. "My heart goes out to the family."

Leroy Brown, Bolingbrook deputy mayor and safety director for the Valley View School District, paid a brief visit to the home.

"The family is doing as well as can be expected for a family that's going through a tragedy like this," he said.

School officials remembered Michael Pearson as an honor roll student who was not involved with any extracurricular activities but loved art and music.

"The tragic loss of a young life cut short touches all of us who work with students every day," said Phil Schoffstall, Valley View's superintendent.

The school and district will provide support to Pearson's family, Bolingbrook students and staff as needed. All district building flags are at half staff.

U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Willowbrook, said her heart goes out to Pearson's family and all of those who lost loved ones during the senseless shooting.

"Nothing can truly prepare you for a tragedy like this, especially when the lives of such dedicated young men and women are cut short by unthinkable violence right here on American soil," Biggert said.

"Pfc. Pearson served his country with distinction and honor and his sacrifice will be remembered always around the nation."

Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday morning reacted to Pearson's death -- and the deaths of all those killed at Fort Hood.

"It's a profoundly sad day for the families of our fallen service members and those who are wounded. And it's a terrible tragedy," Quinn said in Chicago.

Herald-News reporter Kim Smith also contributed to this report.