John Korchak

JOHN KORCHAK, 91 ROCKFORD - John Korchak, 91, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Swedish-American Hospital. He was born Sept. 26, 1917, in Kolonyacol, Poland (now Malinovka, Drohichen, Bela Rus) to Konstantin Korchak and Katrina Karpowicz-Korchak. He was married in Germany after World War II to the former Olga Shlapak on Nov. 25, 1945. Upon immigrating to America, John and Olga lived in Springfield prior to moving to Rockford. He lived in Rockford for 55 years, where he was employed as a machine operator at various factories, as well as a carpenter in the Carpenters Local Union No. 792. He was a member of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, as well as nine brothers and sisters, (Grisha and Nadia, who died as infants, Zosha who died in Germany during World War II, Natalia, Javdosha and Leo, who died in Russia, Vala, who died in Ukraine, and Olga and Nina, who died in Bela Rus). Among his survivors are his children, Jerry of Rockford, Helena (Leon) Isbell of Dallas and Leo (Carlene) of Kalamazoo, Mich. Surviving grandchildren include, Yuri and Maura of Rockford, Joshua Isbell of Plano, Texas, Yvonne (Trey) Thompson of Midland, Texas, Meghan (Jason) Ladd of Williamston, Mich., and Chelsea of Kalamazoo, Mich. Surviving siblings include, Maria Korchak-Moseczuk of Brest, Bela Rus and Januta Korchak-Wisniewski of Warsaw, Poland. Arrangements are through Sundberg Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 26, with a prayer service following. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Burial at Greenwood Cemetery. Father Mark Munoz will officiate all services. Memorials can be made to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Online condolences can be made at sundbergfh.com.