Funeral services for fallen Marine

(WXYZ) - Family and friends honored the memory of a fallen Marine from Detroit during funeral services on Monday.

Lance Corporal Steven Stevens was killed in the line of duty, while serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

His loved ones, along with members of the military, gathered at Hope United methodist Church in Southfield to say their goodbyes.

"His dad greeted me, Big Steve. He was crushed that the link in the generation had been taken away," Rev. Stancy Adams told mourners.

The 23-year-old Marine was hit by shrapnel from a rocket propelled grenade while serving in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Stevens leaves behind a son whom he has never met. The boy, named Kairo, was born eight days after he was sent to Afghanistan.

He is also survived by his wife Monica, who lives in Florida and his parents who live in Detroit.

The championship swimmer, who graduated from Detroit Technical High School and went on to Florida A&M, was remembered for being disciplined, committed and resolute. Yet, the pastor said, those words are just a shell of whom he was.

Although Stevens' wife did not speak during the services, her message was hear. "She wanted us to know that her husband was a good man," said Adams.

Following the funeral services, LCpl. Stevens was buried at Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens in Livonia.