By Maggie Downs
Enquirer staff writer

AMELIA - A Clermont County community has grown even closer since the death of Sgt. Charles "Chuck" Kiser.

The Army Reservist was killed Thursday outside of Mosul, Iraq.

On Sunday, his mother, Glenda Kiser, found comfort among her neighbors. She attended Mass with Carolyn Maupin, mother of Spc. Matt Maupin, 20, who is being held hostage by Iraqi insurgents.

"It was very emotional," said Maj. Mark Magalski, the Army family assistance officer who has aided the Maupins since April 9. "There was a lot of mother-to-mother bonding there."

Members of both families spent time together after the 9 a.m. service at St. Bernadette Church.

"They're both very strong women, and I think they both drew strength from each other," Magalski said.

A commemoration ceremony for Kiser will be 7 p.m. on July 5 on the courthouse steps in downtown Batavia.

"I envision it not as a memorial service, but as a celebration of his life and his service to our country," said Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud, who is planning the event.

There will also be a memorial service on Wednesday in Wisconsin, where Kiser lived with his wife, Debbie, and two children, 13-year-old Alicia and 10-year-old Mark.

Funeral arrangements are not yet complete.

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E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com