Service set for former Seal

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mariners Church in Irvine for Laguna Beach resident Mark Barry Metherell, who was killed April 11 in Iraq.

Metherell, 39, was serving as a special advisor in Iraq in support of the U.S. government when he was killed by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad in the early morning hours.

Friends and neighbors paid their respects April 12 by lining flags along Brooks Street, where the Metherell family lives. Messages to the family or remembrances can be posted on www.markmetherell.com.

Metherell grew up in North Laguna, attended Cate School in Capenteria and graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois. After graduation, he became a U.S. Navy Seal and served for eight years in Asia. He married his wife, Sarah, in May 1999.

Metherell’s neighbor and former college roommate, David Vanderveen, is organizing a paddleout to Second Reef following the memorial service, a traditional farewell to surfers.

“It is a good tradition, especially for Mark,” Vanderveen said. “A lot of people in town wanted to do something, and I thought this would be appropriate.

“We surfed at all the usual places — but Brooks Street was special because we both live here.”

Vanderveen met Metherell at Wheaton, visited Laguna with him and moved here when he had the opportunity.

Paddleout participants are invited to meet at 4 p.m. at 494 Brooks St. with boards — or at least bathing suits — some extra boards will be available.

“I think the thing Mark would want us to focus on is not the loss of his life, but to focus on what we can do to fill the void his absence creates,” said Clarke Brogger, pastor of the Laguna Church by the Sea, where the Laguna Beach resident and his wife worshiped.

Metherell is survived by his wife, Sarah; their daughter, Cora; parents Alex and Pam Metherell of Emerald Bay; and sisters Caroline Campbell and Dr. Alison Metherell Mann.

For directions to the memorial service on Saturday, visit www.marinerschurch.org.