George W. Koerner

Koerner, George W., loving husband, father, and grandfather, died on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at Springfield Regional Medical Center after a lengthy illness. He was 85. Born on Dec. 8, 1928, to Karl and Magdalene Koerner, he was a lifelong resident of Springfield. From 1954 to 1981, Mr. Koerner worked in numerous positions for the Springfield Public Schools. He first worked as a teacher at Grayhill Elementary and then went on to serve as principal at McGuffey, Emerson, Perrin Woods, Horace Mann, and Highlands elementary schools. He also served a stint in the school system's personnel office. Mr. Koerner spent many of his summers teaching children to swim in the Springfield Community Schools' portable pool program. Earlier in his life, he was involved in the YMCA, where he also taught swimming. After retiring from the school system, he worked for eight years as manager of the Springfield Public Schools Employee Credit Union. Mr. Koerner received a bachelor's degree from Wittenberg University in 1952 and later earned a Master's Degree from Ohio State University. Serving in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, Mr. Koerner was an artillery spotter during the Korean War and rose to the rank of sergeant. Mr. Koerner was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church. A member of Kiwanis, he was involved in a variety of the organization's activities, including reading to and tutoring youngsters at Kenwood Elementary School. Mr. Koerner recently was presented with the Kiwanis George F. Hixson Fellowship Award. Mr. Koerner continued to support the Springfield school system in retirement by doing volunteer work for levy campaigns. He also actively supported the missions of the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Janet Digel; daughter, Lisa (John) Oliver of Springfield; son, Douglas (Lisa) Koerner of Perrysburg, Ohio; stepchildren Robert (Kerry) Digel of Springfield, Sarah (Evan) Digel Miller of Ridgefield, Conn., John (Marisa) Digel of Troy, Chris (Pete) Kunk of Powell, Ohio, Steve (Debbie) Malone of Columbus, Jim Malone of Covington, Ky., and Tim (Vicki) Malone of Hilliard, Ohio; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Clara (Dunlavey); second wife, Barbara (Malone); and siblings Carl Koerner and Mary Ridgeway. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at CONROY FUNERAL HOME, 1660 E. High St. A memorial service officiated by the Rev. Dwight McCormick will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 400 Villa Road. Burial will follow in Ferncliff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association.