John George Korbel died peacefully surrounded by family on August 28, 2018, at the age of 75. Preceded in death by his parents Joseph Stanley Korbel and Eleanore Hanna Korbel. Survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Cheryl Navarro Korbel, his children Cezanne K. Weis (Jim) of Salina, Kansas, Todd M. Korbel, Adam J. Korbel, Chavanne K. McDonald (Jay Paul) of Memphis, Tennessee, his grandchildren Cassondra A. Weis, Acacia M. Weis, Jay Paul McDonald III, and George Rule McDonald, and his brother Frank Korbel (Karen) of Cary, Illinois and nieces and nephews. John was born in 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. He was a graduate of Western Michigan University where he was a member of the baseball team, the ROTC, and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. An award winning broadcast journalist, news director, and independent producer in New Orleans, Lafayette, and Lake Charles, John also taught at Loyola University in New Orleans and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Although not from New Orleans, John embraced and loved the City and worked tirelessly in numerous civic pursuits including as a member of the board of the New Orleans American Revolution Bicentennial Commission and as a member of the School of Design to promote the city he loved. Visitation is Thursday, August 30 at Saint Patrick’s Church in New Orleans, 724 Camp Street, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A funeral mass will begin at 3:00 p.m. with a private interment to follow. Plans for a reception after the funeral mass are being finalized and will be available at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John to the Manresa Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 89, Convent, LA 70723.
