(Osgood, Ind.) – The mother of a fallen marine will get to witness the birth of her grandchild thanks to the efforts of a Ripley County group.

John Bishop with his wife Crystal on their wedding day this past spring. file photo

The Knights of Columbus Council 8487 in Osgood raised over $1,125 to send Sarah Thomas to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Thomas is the mother of Marine Lance Corporal John Bishop, of Versailles.

Bishop was killed while fighting in Afghanistan’s Helmland Province on Sept. 8.

His wife, Marine Cpl. Crystal Bishop was eight months pregnant with the couple’s daughter and Thomas’ granddaughter when he died. She will give birth this month.

John Bishop also left behind his son, K-Sean, from a previously relationship.

Of the donations gathered by the Osgood Knights of Columbus $450 will pay for travel expenses to help Thomas, a Columbus, Ind. resident, make the trip to the military base where the Bishops live.

On what would have been John Bishop’s 26^th birthday, the donation was given to his mother on Sunday said Bill McDonald, past Grand Knight of the Osgood Knights of Columbus.

The remaining $500 will go to the Bishop children. 

About $175 of the money raised was kept by the K of C to pay for supplies for a breakfast fundraiser held this month.

LINKS:

Versailles Marine Laid To Rest