CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Cpl. Elijah R. Lanier, 22, of Camp Pendleton, California, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.
He was born Feb. 15, 2002, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the son of Ricky Nelson Lanier and Karen Darlene (Gwynn) Gerber. Elijah, formerly of Chanute, has resided at Camp Pendleton for the past three years. He graduated from Chanute High School with the Class of 2020. Elijah was a data systems administrator for the United States Marine Corps. He loved music, played the keyboard and enjoyed playing video games.
Elijah is survived by his mother, Karen Gerber of Sterling; father, Rickey Lanier of Spiro, Oklahoma; maternal grandmother, Annie Celestine Gwynn of Mississippi; a brother, Matthew Gerber and his wife, Amanda, of Chanute; four sisters, Marisha Thiessen and her husband, Todd, of Buhler, Celeste Gerber of Nickerson, Amanda Hunter of Colorado and Michele Yost of Montezuma; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Morrison Aldene Gwynn; paternal grandparents; and two sisters, Jaime Michelle Carr and Micaela Shea Gerber.
The service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with Pastor Nickia Larsen officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery with military honors by the United States Marine Corps. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling. The family suggests memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.
