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John Koellner Obituary
SOUTH BEND - John F. Koellner, 70, passed away at 12:14 AM Saturday, October 19, 2013, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. He retired from teaching Chemistry at Riley High School after 42 years with the South Bend Community School Corp. He also was an Instructor at Indiana University for 43 years. At various times John taught summer programs at both St. Mary's College and the University of Notre Dame. John was born on May 7, 1943, in Burlington, Iowa, to the late Paul and Helen (Krieger) Koellner. On August 14, 1965, in Mundelein, IL, he married Patricia "Patti" (Nienaber) Koellner in Santa Maria del Popolo Catholic Church. John is survived by loving wife, Patti Koellner; four children, Stephanie (Rick) Gerbeth of Mishawaka, Stephanie's twin, Greg (Ellen) Koellner of Granger, Matt (Kerri) Koellner of Beverly Hills, MI, and Katie (Ryan) Fenstermaker of South Bend. Also surviving are ten loving grandchildren, Melissa (Kaleb) Gerbeth VanOrt, Zachary and Kristyn Gerbeth, Jonathan, Kelsey, Jacob, Joshua, Kierstin and Alex Koellner, and Jack Fenstermaker; two brothers, Paul (MaryAnn) Koellner of Portage, MI, and Bill (Jane) Koellner of Ft. Madison, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Julia Koellner of Ft. Madison, Iowa. His brother, Pat Koellner, preceded him in death. John earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1965, in 1966 his Art of Technology Master's, and in 1972 his Master Degree in Science-Chemistry, all from the University of Notre Dame. He was a member of the American Chemical Society for approximately 43 years. John was a member of Sacred Heart Parish, Notre Dame and St. Joseph Chapel, Holy Cross, Notre Dame. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Thursday, October 24, 2013, in St. Joseph Chapel on the Holy Cross Campus, Notre Dame, IN. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00-8:00 PM Wednesday, October 23, 2013, at Palmer Funeral Home-Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Expressions of sympathy to the Koellner family may be sent to Brothers of Holy Cross, P.O. Box 1064, Notre Dame, IN 46556; or to the Sacred Heart Parish, Notre Dame, 104 The Presbytery, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Online condolences may be sent to the Koellner family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Koellner
Elidia Pimentel
October 26, 2013
Awesome Professor!! I had him for my first year of chemistry at IUSB and he was there for all students ! It was awesome to have learn so much from him and bless to have had him in my jury in life .. Sad to know he is Gone but it won't be for Long because I know we will see him in heaven again .. Many prayers for family and May our Lord strength them with great memories that he left in life for all his family and friends and students.. God Bless you Dr. Koellner !! and thanks for awesome learning time:
much love from Elidia G Pimentel
Michael Shultz
October 24, 2013
I still quote his "ah-ha" comment that he said he saw in our eyes when we finally understood what he was explaining to us. I loved the class so much I took chemistry as my one science class in college - didn't do well, but I remember what he taught me, too bad that was covered in the first two weeks of college chemistry.
Matt Wilson
October 24, 2013
I was informed of his passing by my daughter ,Sarah, from her facebook link on her phone . I always appreciated his dedication and great sense of humor .His smile is how I remember him .
Matt RILEY '81
Andrew Malec
October 22, 2013
How do you measure the impact a teacher has on a life? Through test scores and placement exams?
I've traveled the world. Set foot on 6 continents and have friends in almost every time zone. I've lived in California. I live in France. I've met Nobel Laureates. I've been recognized as a scientific leader in my field. I've taught doctors, lawyers, accountants, and seen students of mine get their PhD. I've flown in business class. I've stayed in world class hotels (and some less than world class). I've been granted patents. I've published papers in journals and even been invited to do so. Today I went with the CEO of my company into one of the largest chemical companies on the planet, dealt with projects worth tens of millions of dollars, and it has become routine.
All of these things were possible because from 1994-1997 I had this teacher who was so crazy he gave homework on the first day of school. I don't know how you measure the impact of a teacher, but I do know I owe this teacher a lot.
Thank you Mr. Koellner, from the bottom of my heart. I can never repay you. You were the best teacher I ever had; no other ever came close.
Jon Podell
October 21, 2013
Mr. Koellner
A freind, wonderful dad and all around good guy. He always had a good word to say and he really seemed to enjoy everyone he met. I will always remember his kindness and loving spirit. May God bless you and your family with love and Peace!
Andrew Hostrawser (RHS-1995)
October 21, 2013
Mr. Koellner was my favorite teacher. He was an inspiration for me and my time spent as his TA during my senior year was the best one-on-one teaching I have ever received in school. Mr. Koellner was a wonderful teacher and man. He will be sorely missed.
David Worland Jr.
October 21, 2013
I remember with fondness our family visits to the Koellner house for Notre Dame football weekends. John always welcomed us to his home with open arms. The passion that he had for his family, friends, and Notre Dame was beyond measure!
Todd Silverman
October 21, 2013
I was saddened to hear of the passing of one of the most dignified, knowledgable, and inspiring teachers I have ever had, Mr. John Koellner. He was a primary influence on me at Riley, sparking a life-long interest in science and giving me the tools and confidence to pursue a career in medicine. Little did I know at the time the reaction that he was actually catalyzing. He will be greatly missed.
David Leary
October 21, 2013
Mr. Koellner was a great chemistry teacher (Chem I&II) - and gave me the confidence to go on with chemistry. He was a big influence on me - and I ultimately completed a thesis on geochemistry.
He also liked to laugh. Which was why my friends and I targeted Mr. Koellner with the 150 or so 'For Sale' signs we placed in his front yard late one night. We knew (hoped?) that he would find that funny! And he did.
He was also a classy guy. He figured out who did this trick but did not give my name to the South Bend Police when they showed up looking for the perpetrators. Thank you for that, kind sir! You will be missed.
Stephanie Ross Bralick
October 21, 2013
Mr. Koellner was my absolute favorite teacher at Riley. He made our honors chem class so fun when he messed his eyebrows up and did the "mad scientist". He was patient, and made learning so interesting. We all truly respected him. So sorry for your loss, he will be missed!
judy laughlin
October 21, 2013
Dear Patti and Katie,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Kate called me on Thursday saying that John wasn't doing to well and how upset she was. You are both in my thoughts and prayers. You are blessed with a wonderful family.
Cheryl Mielcarek
October 21, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I had the pleasure of working with John my first year at Riley - he was a wonderful person!
Stephanie Howard
October 21, 2013
Mr. Koellner is one of the main reasons why I truly enjoyed science and went into the field of healthcare. I remember when the power went out and we all took our chem final by candles and flashlights! You will be missed- my thoughts and prayers are with the Koellner family.
Nichole Williams Keller
October 21, 2013
Mr. Koellner was an amazing teacher and wonderful man. He had such a passion for learning and always took the time to make sure everyone was on the same page. I am blessed to have been able to learn from him.
Mariam Masri
October 21, 2013
Mr. Koellner, you were really one of my favorite teachers back in high school that I still vividly remember. Your confidence in my abilities is something I will never forget and that I have kept after all these years. Your teaching, patience and enthusiasm in Chemistry remained with me throughout college and even inspired me to continue studying the subject simultaneously with my major. I am happy that I had the random chance to talk with you last year since graduating high school. I still remember how sad most of us students were to find out you were retiring when we were graduating. May you rest in peace and may your memories remain with those you have inspired and will miss you. God bless you and your family.
Gabriel Ballinger
October 21, 2013
John was my teacher at Riley for 2 years and I was his student assistant one year as well. It was his chemistry class that helped me understand algebra. He was a great man and one of my favorite teachers. He will be sorely missed.
Scott Smith
October 21, 2013
Thanks Mr Koellner for the wisdom you shared with all of us. You will be missed! Class of 1990.
Kris Gundrum
October 21, 2013
Mr. Koellner's Chemistry class at Riley is one that I will always remember. My wife and I were in the same class and we talk of it every once in a while. Just a few weeks ago my 3 year old son found the goggles that I once wore while doing experiments that were led by this great teacher. RIP...RHS Class of 02
Andrew Mesecar
October 21, 2013
John was my Chemistry teacher and mentor from 1982-1984. He spent hours with me to help with my Science Fair projects and was an amazing all around guy. I owe him my fundamental chemistry knowledge which was instrumental in getting me through Purdue as as an undergrad, Notre Dame as a graduate Student, and Berkeley as Post-Doc. Now as a professor at Purude, I still use his 'Factor Label Method", Do as you oughta, add acid to watta' and other sayings I learned from him at Riley. I often saw him at Farmers Market in the early morning and ran in to him at Notre Dame when he was teaching a lab course. He always seemed to be smiling, laughing and telling a joke. He was truly a role model teacher and an inspiration to me. Thanks John for propelling me to my life as a scientist!
Christy Howell
October 20, 2013
Mr Koellner was a wonderful teacher, I will remember him fondly. He always had a smile on his face and a passion for teaching his students. He was one of the good ones. Happy Mole Day!
David Rosenstock
October 20, 2013
Mr Koellner was a GREAT teacher. We looked forward to his class because he was creative and funny. And we learned the material along the way. I have made a career in the chemical industry so his teaching and influence is never far from my mind. So sorry to hear he is gone. I was RHS class of 1981.
Mark Schurr
October 20, 2013
Mr. Koellner touched so many lives. Three kids in my family majored in chemistry in college because of him, and his enthusiasm kindled a love of the subject that became my career. I still remember that the shape of the f orbital was "very complicated." I hope his family finds comfort knowing that he is so fondly remembered.
AP Chemistry Class - Riley '02
John Finn
October 20, 2013
Stefanne Jackson
October 20, 2013
Wow, Mr. Koellner, my heart is deeply saddened to hear this new of your passing. You were such an AMAZING teacher, making the impossible possible in my eyes. You always had faith in me; helping me make sense of chemistry before and after school. lol I will keep your family in my prayers, as they have lost a truly great man. May you rest in peace <3
Kimberly Lundgren (Garbacz)
October 20, 2013
I had the pleasure of being in one of Mr. Koellner's classes at Jackson High School in 1973. He was so young and serious! I fell in love with chemistry and studies science in college. I know he's positively influenced so many kids in his life. Mr. Koellner was a natural born teacher that always put his students first. God bless.
Angie Lusk
October 20, 2013
Mr Koellner was an amazing teacher. Making him laugh in class was a challenge we all took seriously and enjoyed it when he cracked that smile. He pushed me and taught me so much. RHS Class of 96
Marie Roseboom Gresso
October 20, 2013
Kaptain Koellner was one of my favorite teachers. He was the reason that I loved chemistry so much. I will never forget how he made it fun to learn. I also tried many times to get him to let me have his can of dehydrated water. He was such a fixture at Riley. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten. God bless you all.
Annette Magjuka
October 20, 2013
John was my high school chemistry teacher at Jackson High School. He was patient and kind. His love of chemistry and for teaching chemistry were evident. I will always remember how, when he got really frustrated with the class, his face would turn bright red. Sometimes he wore two different colors of socks. He was like an absent-minded professor, but what a good professor he was! RIP, John. You touched many lives in a positive way.
Julie (Hamilton) Billingham
October 20, 2013
Mr. Koellner was an amazing teacher. I have fond memories of talking to him about how he also taught my mom and dad when Jackson Middle School was a high school. He will be missed....my prayers go out to his whole family.
October 20, 2013
John was a respected colleague of mine at Riley for many years. My sympathy to his family. He was part of a great faculty during the years that I taught Social Studies there.
Burt Brenneman
Lori Melkey
October 20, 2013
Kaptain Koellner, you inspired so many of us to further our study of Chemisty. You were greatly respected by students and we loved your jokes and quick wit.
Lori and Mike Cook
October 20, 2013
Our condolences to Mr. Koellner's family. We were both blessed to have had him as a chemistry teacher at Riley. He was an excellent teacher, and a kind man with a great sense of humor. We are all richer for having had him in our lives.
Lori ('87) and Mike ('86) Cook
Whitney Rhodes Stealy
October 20, 2013
Mr. Koellner was a great Teacher, I have never forgotten his class, or his wisdom. Rest In Peace. Class of '87
Domenic Jannetta
October 20, 2013
Our deepest sympathy from the Jannetta family. Although I only recently met John, I was instantly struck by his good and friendly nature and the love he had for his family. His laugh and smile will be missed on my future trips to South Bend.
Marmorino
October 20, 2013
We miss you already, John. It was a pleasure and honor to work with you.
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