SANDOVAL, Ill. — Jerry Korzenewski, 73, of Sandoval, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2023, at St.Mary’s Hospital. Born May 17, 1950, in Centralia, Illinois, he was the son of the late Anthony “Big Tony” Korzenewski Sr and LaDonne (McCoy) Korzenewski.
He graduated from Sandoval High School, Sandoval, Illinois where he excelled in basketball. He graduated in 1968 and attended Kaskaskia College for two years. He joined the US Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, where he operated heavy machinery. Before exiting the US Army, he married Betty Ann Foster in April of 1972. He worked at CB Sales in Centralia and later worked as a beverage delivery man for Koerner Distributing for most of his working life until he retired in 2013. He was also the Sandoval Road Commissioner for 38 years when he retired from it in 2019. He was talented on heavy machinery. Serving his community in that capacity delighted him. Jerry was a hard-working man, rarely able to sit down. He was always helping others with projects, large or small, fixing cars, working with his hands, or working in his yard. He was never sick, never missed one day of work in his entire life and was never without a job (or two). He enjoyed country music and watching sports and Nascar with his friends. He especially loved being with his grandson.
Survivors include his wife and high school sweetheart, Betty Ann (Foster) Korzenewski; a son, Steven Korzenewski and wife Jennifer of Sandoval; and a grandson, Logan Korzenewski, who was his pride and joy; and a brother, Tony Korzenewski Jr and wife Lisa of Sandoval. He talked constantly about his grandson, of whom he was exceptionally proud.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor Johnathan Urshan officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Centralia with Military Honors accorded at the gravesite by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and the Centralia VFW Post 2055.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be accepted at the funeral home and may be made to the Sandoval Fire Department and the First Apostolic Church of Centralia. The Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois, (618)532-3523 is honored to be of service to the Korzenewski family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland Funeral Home Facebook page.