HICO (November 20, 2009)--U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Shawn P. Hefner, 22, was laid to rest Friday in Hico, the small Hamilton County town where he grew up and where he’s remembered as a jokester who loved the outdoors.

Hefner died a week ago in combat operations in Afghanistan, less than two weeks after he was promoted to corporal.

A Marine Corps statement released Monday said Hefner died while serving on the crew of an amphibious assault vehicle Friday in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, but other details were not released.

He was assigned to the 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

He joined the Marine Corps in January 2008 and deployed in June to Afghanistan.

On Thursday, Hefner’s flag-draped coffin was flown to Waco and was then transported by motorcade to Hico, where he graduated from high school in 2006.

Services were Friday afternoon at Hico’s First Baptist Church, followed by burial at Hico Cemetery.

He leaves behind his parents, Patrick and Robin Hefner of Hico, and a brother and a sister.