Remains of fallen Ferndale soldier return to Michigan

HOLLY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP/WXYZ) - The remains of a 29-year-old Army Reserve soldier from suburban Detroit who died in Afghanistan came home to Michigan today, two days ahead of his funeral at the Great Lakes National Cemetery.

Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Leach of Ferndale died June 26 in Kandahar during his third combat deployment. The Pentagon didn't release announce the circumstances of his death.

Friends say he was full of happiness and had a hardy laugh.

Leach’s body was flown to Selfridge Air National Guard Base. 

Draped in an American Flag, soldiers carried the casket into a hearse.

The hearse was driven to Wujek- Calcaterra funeral home in Sterling Heights. One family who didn’t even know Leach, came to pay their respects. They stood across the street from the funeral home waving American Flags.

Michael Calcaterra, one of the owners of a funeral home, said he enjoyed working with him in the short time Leach worked at the funeral home.

Visitation will be 2-9 p.m. Tuesday, with a funeral at noon Wednesday. The military cemetery is in Oakland County's Holly Township.

Leach was born in Texas. He served two tours of duty in Iraq before his deployment to Afghanistan.

Leach leaves behind a wife, a 7-month-old baby named Jack, and many other loved ones.  An account has been set up at any Bank of America to help Leach’s wife pay for college when Jack is older.