DeKalb in DeKalb County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

In Memory of SFC Julianna Gehant

Julianna Gehant Memorial Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 7, 2026

1. Julianna Gehant Memorial Plaque

Inscription.
In Memory of
SFC Julianna Gehant
U.S. Army
June 15, 1975 - February 14, 2008
Beloved daughter, sister, comrade, and friend
A light in our lives

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Military • Women.

Location. 41° 56.041′ N, 88° 45.771′ W. Memorial is in DeKalb, Illinois, in DeKalb County. It can be reached from the intersection of Castle Drive and College Avenue, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located in front of a bench at the NIU Veterans Memorial Flagpole. The bench faces northwest. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 305 Gilbert Dr, Dekalb IL 60115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Northern Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: NIU Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Northern Illinois State College Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Northern Illinois University 75th Anniversary Time Capsule (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Northern Illinois University Entrance (approx. 0.2 miles away); Northern Illinois State Normal School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Unified and Diversified” Time Capsule (approx. ¼ mile away); Northern Illinois University (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeKalb.

Also see . . .
1. Northern Illinois University - Julianna Gehant Biography. See this short biography on Julianna Gehant, who was a elementary education major at Northern Illinois University. Tragically she died in the 2008 NIU Shooting event at the age of 32.

Excerpt: “She was an intelligent, highly motivated young lady who served her country and came back. To be lost in this manner is such a tragedy,” said Jon Lehuta, adviser to the NIU Veterans Club. “We’re very solemn. We’re a pretty close group. We
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 7, 2026

2. Julianna Gehant Memorial Bench Front
know each other. The military bond makes us somewhat like brothers right out of the box. This really hurts.”

(Submitted on September 28, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)

2. ABC7 News Article - Students, families still mourning NIU losses. See this news article published on February 20th, 2008, that covers some of the vigils and memorials that proceeded the 2008 NIU Shooting. Julianna Gehant was one of the victims of the event and tragically lost her life after 12 years of active duty in the Army.

Excerpt: "Gehant was one of five students killed in a college lecture hall before the gunman killed himself. She was buried Wednesday with full military honors. Her finally resting place is Holy Cross Cemetery in Mendota."

(Submitted on September 28, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)

Additional keywords. Shooting

Julianna Gehant Memorial Bench Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 7, 2026

3. Julianna Gehant Memorial Bench Side

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.