1st Lt. Ivan D. Lechowich, United States Army, 27, of Valrico lost his life in the Ghazni Province, Afghanistan on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.

Born in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Ivan was a local resident since 1997. Ivan graduated from the IB Program at King High School. He graduated from the University of Florida where he was an active, proud member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He enlisted in the Army in July 2009 and was currently a Sapper Platoon Leader for 515th Sapper Company stationed out of Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri. He earned the GAFBMP and his Sapper Tab in early 2011 and began his first deployment to Afghanistan in April 2011. Ivan has been awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and NATO medal.

Ivan enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, weight lifting/working out, reading, travel and a good bourbon. Ivan was a avid Gator football fan.

Survivors include his loving wife, Jen; newborn daughter, Natalie Marie; sister, Erika Lechowich; parents, Richard and Gina Lechowich; paternal grandparents, Richard Lechowich and Joan Lechowich; maternal grandparents, Alvin and Frances Ochsner. Also surviving are his aunts, uncles, cousins, many close friends and his beloved dogs JD and Hunter. Lt. Lechowich will be received at MacDill Air Force Base on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 9:05 am.

The public is invited to pay tribute to him along the Hero's Procession from the Base to Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, Riverview. Visitation on Thursday will be private. The procession route will be published by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Public visitation will be on Friday, October 14, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico, FL. 33596. A funeral mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church with Fr. William Swengros Officiating.

Burial with Military Honors will follow mass at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, Riverview. Memorial Donations for his Daughter Natalie's education may be made to, Gina Lechowich, PO Box 7027, Brandon, FL 33508.