Maj. Michael D. Stover

A 43-year-old Ohio Marine who enlisted in 1980 has died in Iraq, the U.S. Department of Defense said Wednesday. Maj. Michael Stover of Mansfield died Saturday in the Al Anbar Province in western Iraq, the department said. The Defense Department would not say how he died, other than it was not in combat. Stover was the executive officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 based in 29 Palms, Calif. The unit went to Iraq in February as part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Stover graduated from Malabar High School in Mansfield in 1980 and reported to the Marines in 1981. He was released from active duty in 1986 to attend Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor''s degree in journalism in December 1990 and was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant. Funeral arrangements were pending Wednesday with Wappner Funeral Directors in Mansfield. -- Michael D. Stover''s decision to enlist didn''t come as a surprise to his sister, who watched her baby brother grow up craving adventure as much as he did book knowledge. "His nickname was ''Monkey'' as a kid because he was always falling out of trees, breaking his arm, riding bicycles and flying over the handlebars and ending up in hospitals," said Cheryl Meister. "Anything that was exciting or extreme, Michael had to be involved in." Stover, 43, of Mansfield, Ohio, died June 3 of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound at Taqqadum. A 1980 high school graduate, he was assigned to Yuma and was on his second tour. Stover was an outdoorsman _ a Boy Scout who wrestled, lifted weights, and rode his bicycle long distances. "He was into a lot of physical activities that challenged him as an individual," said his brother, Edward "Al" Stover. Stover was released from active duty to attend Ohio State University in September 1986. He received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism in December 1990 and was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant. He also is survived by his parents, LaVern "Smokey" and Doris Stover.