Sat Nov 07 2009
By JARED ORZOLEK
McCLURE -- The Henry County National Guard pilot killed last week while serving in Iraq will be laid to rest Tuesday in Hockman Cemetery, McClure.
Lt. Col. Kevin H. Sonnenberg, 42, of rural McClure, died June 15, when his jet crashed five miles north of Balad Air Base, Iraq.
Dean Dawson, mayor of McClure and friend of the Sonnenberg family, described the pilot as a local hero.
"The Sonnenbergs are a real good family and Kevin was one of the great ones," Dawson said. "It's hard to think of words at this time."
The mayor said he wished to express condolences to the Sonnenberg family during their time of loss.
"When it hits home, it's a tragedy," Dawson said.
Sonnenberg was the only person in the aircraft at the time of the crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff.
The cause of the crash, which remains under investigation, is believed to be accidental and not due to hostile fire.
Sonnenberg was born Feb. 10, 1965, in Napoleon, the son of Marvin and Jean (Godeke) Sonnenberg.
On Aug. 12, 2006, he married Lorin (Smith) Sonnenberg at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Deshler, who survives.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m., at the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Deshler.
Pastors Thomas Smuda and Paul Lehenbauer will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Hockman Cemetery of McClure with military honors accorded by the combined efforts of the 180th Ohio National Guard and local American Legion Posts.
Visitation will be today from 7-9 p.m. and Monday from 2-9 p.m. at the Rodenberger Funeral Home in Napoleon.
Friends of Sonnenberg have described the pilot as a good family man who loved his country, flying aircraft and farming.
He was a fighter pilot for the 180th Ohio National Guard --112th Fighter Squadron of Toledo, a commercial pilot for Delta Airlines, and a Henry County farmer.
He was a member of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, a 1983 graduate of Napoleon High School, a 1987 graduate of Bowling Green State University and joined the Air National Guard in 1990.
Sonnenberg graduated from undergraduate pilot training in 1993, and completed F-16 training in 1994.
He previously served his country in Qatar, Kuwait, and Turkey.
He is also survived by a stepson, Carson Orr; three sisters, Vickie (Jim) Schulze, of rural McClure, Diana (Mike) Reiser of rural Deshler and Jennifer (Brent) Miller of rural McClure.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Carl and Emilie (Volkman) Sonnenberg, and maternal grandparents, Henry and Myrtle (Lieb) Godeke.
The Sonnenberg family suggest memorial contributions be made to Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Deshler; the 180th Ohio Air National Guard -- 112th Fighter Squadron, Toledo; Damascus Township Fire & Rescue; or to the "Lt. Col. Kevin Sonnenberg Memorial Fund" in care of any Fifth Third Bank.
Condolences may be left at www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com.
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