An honor guard carries Sgt. Koehler's casket from the hearse to the grave site in Anderson Memorial Gardens on Saturday.

Ringgold soldier Sgt. Edward Koehler was killed in Afghanistan. This is a photo from Koehler's Marine Corps days. It was taken in the 1980s and shared by his family.

Dark clouds and rolling thunder tolled today as family and friends laid to rest Sgt. Ed Koehler, a Ringgold resident and Pennsylvania National Guard soldier who died in Afghanistan on July 18.

The former Marine, 47, was killed when an improvised bomb exploded, authorities said. Koehler moved to Ringgold a few years ago after marrying a local woman.

During the funeral service at Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe, Koehler was honored for his service. Afterward, mourners surrounded the grave for a burual burial service, with a gun salute and full military honors at the Anderson Memorial Gardens in Ringgold.

See Sunday's Times Free Press for complete coverage.