Corey John Podnar

Corey John Podnar
Of Appleton, was born on September 6, 1980 in Crystal Falls, Michigan the proud son of Yvonne Rochon and John Podnar. Corey died in Landstuhl, Germany on Monday, September 2, 2002 from an automobile accident he had on his way to work on August 11, 2002. While in Italy, Corey lived in the charming town of Manigo, located in the foothills of the Alps.
Corey attended Black Creek Elementary School and graduated from Seymour High School in 1999. He was involved in student leadership, football, and lettered in wrestling. Corey worked at PDQ Car Wash through high school. After graduation he worked for Superior Electric. In February 2000, Corey joined the United States Air Force and after his schooling he was assigned to Aviano Air Force Base in Italy in October 2000. He was a Crew Chief for a F-16 fighter jet which he fondly referred to as “Helen”. He belonged to the “555 World Famous, Highly Respected Triple Fighter Squadron”. Corey loved aviation; exploring Europe-especially Austria; snowboarding, wrestling, football, hunting and snowmobiling up North in Florence; and food. However, Corey’s favorite pastime was hanging out with family and friends. He will always be remembered for his easy smile, warm personality, loyalty, his sensitivity towards others, his strong work ethic, maturity and his wonderful sense of humor.
He leaves behind his mother, Yvonne Rochon (Larry Bohl); siblings, Megan and Andrew Wilber, Appleton; his father, John Podnar (Donna Sleeter) and siblings, Saunja, Brooke, and Johnna of Kingsford, Michigan;paternal grandparents Barb and Pete Podnar, Florence; surrogate grandmother, Gloria Weisshahn, Appleton, his aunts and uncles, Kathy and Ray Neuens, (Godparents), Aurora, WI; Roger and Roseann Muench, Seymour; Donald and Claudia Leffler, Florence; Steven and Lynn Rochon, Florence; Jerry Rochon, Iron Mountain, MI; Greg and Andrea Lemke-Rochon, Appleton; Rita and Don Burger, Houghton, MI; Pete and Sue Catalino, Dodgeville, MI; Dale and Cindy Podnar, Dykesville; Dan and Sherry Podnar, Florence; Jim and Amy Podnar, Green Bay; and Bob and Mary Podnar, Florence. In addition Corey is survived by many cousins. He was also rich in friends, both here and in Italy. He will especially be missed by his best friend Renee Rusch, Seymour. Corey was preceded in death by Lawrence and Elaine Rochon, maternal grandparents.
Pallbearers are Jeff Poch, Michael Leffler, Mike Pintar, Andy Schmidt, Ricky Marrow and Rick Schmoll.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to family and friends for their overwhelming support they received during this tragic time. A special thank you goes out to the men and women of the 555 Triple Nickel Fighter Squadron at Aviano for their outstanding character and support of Corey and his parents while they were there; to Lt. Col. Maletz M.D. who was our liaison and interpreter and who stood by us every step of the way; to Master Sergeant Steve Loy, who was Corey’s boss and who escorted Corey home; and to Fr. Tim from Aviano Air Force Base. A heartfelt thank you is also extended to his caregivers in the ICU’s at Udine and Pordenone hospitals in Italy. A very special thank you goes to Dr. Steve Alkins and the entire ICU staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Their compassionate and loving care of Corey during his final days, and for his mother was exemplary.
A memorial fund is being established for the Fischer House in Landstuhl, Germany; and for Udine Hospital in Italy. A wrestling scholarship fund will also be set up at Seymour High School in Corey’s name.
Our long journey has ended and Corey is finally back home. He will remain forever in our hearts, for to know Corey was to love him. He was indeed well loved and will be greatly missed.
A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Monday, September 9, 2002 at St. Joseph Catholic Church (410 West Lawrence St.) in Appleton at 10:30 AM with Father John Holly officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Sunday evening, with an 8:00 vigil service, There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the service at church. Military Honors will follow the service outside of church. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Florence, WI.
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountaintop, than you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, than shall you truly dance.
Kahlil Gibran