Donald Korkowski

Donald J Korkowski (Corky) (Bumpa), one of the last honorable men of the country’s greatest generation, passed away on June 19, 2021, at the ripe old age of 97. He spent the last six months of his life at the Aspen Ridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Grand Junction, CO.

Don was born September 12, 1923, to August and Frances Korkowski of Millerville, MN and grew up as one of three children in an impoverished farming community. This foundation drove Don to live and love every minute of his long and productive life.

Don was unable to take advantage of an appointment to the US Naval Academy due to family health matters, but at 19 years old he joined the Army Air Corp (later to become the Air Force). He learned to fly B-26 bombers and flew 43 missions in Europe during WW2. Don survived 2 crashes in WW2 and went on to serve as a lawyer during the Korean War. Don enjoyed sharing stories of some missions, but he never bragged about himself.

At the end of WW2 Don was assigned to Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL as a lawyer. He met and married Laura Eileen Hardin and they raised 3 sons, James (deceased), Larry and Daniel. Don loved being a lawyer and joined a local law office, becoming a partner and helping people until 1985.

Don loved to fly and got his private pilot’s license. He would fly family and friends to fishing and skiing trips throughout the US. He passed his love of flying to a son and grandson, who both were pilots.

When he could not fly anymore due to age, he found other ways to get his thrills. In his eighties he liked riding roller coasters (bigger faster better) with his grandchildren followed by sliding down park slides in his nineties. He loved to travel and see the world. Don took great joy in living.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, August and Frances, his brother Clarence, sister Lorraine, wife Laura Eileen, son James, grandson Joel, his second wife Esther, and his girlfriend Patricia.

Don is survived by his sons Larry and Daniel, daughter in laws Sarah and Jill, grandchildren Luke, Cassandra, Bradley, and Bridget, great-grandchildren Lauron, Skyler, Kyla, Austin, Nikoli, Cross, Rowan and Madison, and great great granddaughter Sloan.

A note from a close family friend to the family listed a few of the qualities he personally saw in Don. They were HONESTY, INTEGRITY, BRAVERY, SINCERITY, LOYALTY, STRONG WORK ETHIC, PATRIOTIC, FORGIVING, TOLERANT, UNDERSTANDING, GENEROSITY, HUMILITY, MORALLY PRINCIPLED, RESILIENT, OPTOMISTIC, AND COMPASSIONATE.

Our family lost a loving patriarch, and the greatest generation lost the best of the best.

Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rantoul, IL on 09-11-2021 at 1:30pm followed by a celebration of life get together at the Holiday Inn Express meeting room from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Everyone is welcome.