Sgt. John Penich

Sgt. John M. Penich, 25, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX, "Viper Company"of the United States Army, from Beach Park, IL, was killed in action on October 16, 2008, while defending his country in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. John was born January 6, 1983, in Waukegan, IL. He was a proud soldier and a loving and selfless man. John put everyone before himself. He was highly decorated, including Soldier of the Year 2007 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry, Bronze Star with Valor and Single Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge, and had been recommended for the Silver Star. Sgt. Penich lived his life to the fullest. He enjoyed hunting, traveling overseas, and taking motorcycle trips. He graduated with honors from Zion-Benton Township High School in 2001. John is survived by his mother, Kathy ("Dad" Mike) Garross; father, James (Diane) Penich; brothers, Jimmy (Michelle) Penich and Jeff (Nicole) Penich; sister, Crystal (Pete) Barrett; grandparents, Donald (Pat) Weidner and Roger (Barbara) Garross; great-grandmother, Mary Hall; nieces and nephews, Autumn Long, Bryce and Eva Barrett, and Hailey and Hunter Penich, and the love of his life, Sarah Kelley. Also surviving are other family, including, Jill Garross, Kim Zabresky, Kim (Chris) Van Beek, Clarissa Van Beek, Dan (Denise) Garross, Cassie and Chloe Garross, Denise (Dave) Balmes, Allie Balmes , Ray Caddell, Michael (Mary) Penich, Michael (Abbey) Penich, Tim Penich; dear friend, Mikey Kitch; and countless other friends and comrades. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Elaine Weidner, Michael Penich Sr. and Jennie Penich; and great-grandparents, Katherine Garross and Ned Hall; and great-great-grandmother, Eva Gallup. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Humility Church, 10655 Wadsworth Rd., Beach Park. Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Visitation will be Monday October 27, from 3:00-9:00 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd. Zion, IL 60099 Memorial donations are suggested to the Sgt. John M. Penich Memorial Fund; (for the college education of John's nieces and nephews ) c/o First Midwest Bank, 3303 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL 60099