Obituary courtesy of Hultgren Funeral Home:

Josiah Pierce Bubna of Wheaton died suddenly on Saturday, July 7. He was 22.

He was born on July 29, 1989 in Summit, NJ to Joel and Elin Bubna. He grew up in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. He graduated high school from Dakar Academy in Dakar, Senegal.

He entered Wheaton College in the fall of 2007 where he majored in Business Economics and International Relations and minored in French. He played on the Wheaton College football team. Following graduation, he joined Samaritan’s Purse in Japan to assist with reconstruction and relief for victims of the devastating tsunami. That is where he met his fiancée Rebekah Falcone, also a relief worker with Samaritan’s Purse.

Josiah and Rebekah served in Japan until June of this year when they returned to the United States to make final plans for their August 11th wedding. Both hoped to serve with Samaritan’s Purse in Liberia, West Africa later this year. Josiah is remembered for his commitment to his family and friends. Kind, conscientious, hard-working, loving, compassionate and loyal-friend are all words used to describe his character. He lived each day as an example of his commitment to Christ and His Kingdom.

He is survived by his fiancé, Rebekah Falcone, parents Joel and Elin Bubna, sisters Angele (15) and Nadia (13), grandparents Milton and Nancy Pierce and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Jeanie Bubna.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 12:00 pm at Blanchard Road Alliance Church. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois. Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com.

For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027