John P. Koren 1936-2024

Dr. Koren was born May 26, 1936, in Maple Sterling, Pa., son of the late Stephan and Bertha Podolinski Koren, and brother to seven close siblings.

Dr. Koren was a graduate of Struthers High School and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown University with an emphasis on premedical education. He obtained his medical degree from Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine, with his first internship at Cafaro Hospital in Youngstown.

Shortly after, he enlisted with the United States Navy and was stationed at the nuclear missile base in Point Magu, California. He then went on to serve at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida.

Following his active-duty term, Dr. Koren remained in the Naval Reserve and opened his family practice at the former Dr. Elliot’s office in East Palestine.

Dr. Koren proudly served the community of East Palestine at his office for 35 years. During his family practice time, he took a four-year hiatus to obtain a nuclear radiology specialty at the National Naval Medical Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Following his retirement from family practice in 2005, he stayed active with semi-retirement emergency room work, mainly at Bel Aire Hospital in Ohio.

Besides his medical career, Dr. Koren enjoyed elements of farm life, including raising cattle, rotations of corn, wheat and hay, and working with his wife with their horses for both pleasure and show.

John is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Marcia Thomson Koren; son, Matthew; sisters, Mary Jane Penman (James), JoAnn Evan, Judy Davis (Robert) and Susan Garchar (Ronald); two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Koren and Dorothy Thomson; and a brother-in-law, George Thomson.

John was predeceased by his parents, Stephan Koren and Bertha Podolinski, and his brothers, Robert Koren, Jerry Koren and William Koren.

Dr. John Koren was always ready and willing to go beyond the expectations of his patients at any and all hours, including even packing up his black medical bag and going out to make old-school house calls. He had a great personality, along with a heartfelt smile and incredible medical bedside manner that his patients loved.

He always lived with an open mind and the belief in the constant possibility to change things for the better at any moment in life. His glass was always half full, never half empty, and at the same time, he was always willing to share that half-full glass with anyone without hesitation or discrepancy. He was a valued doctor, a loving and devoted husband and father, and a truly humble human being.

He is leaving behind beloved nieces and nephews, many of whom went into medicine because of his influence. He was dedicated to the health and happiness of all the people in his life, both personally and professionally, and he will be immeasurably missed.

We are grateful for the love and support from Select Specialty Hospital during his final weeks with us and special thanks to his cardiologist, Dr. David Hoffman, who was there to check on him every day. Special thanks also to Dr. Steve Evan and Dr. Mical Duvall for their greatly valued medical assistance.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Linsley-Royal Funeral Home in East Palestine.

A funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in East Palestine, with Father Chad Johnson serving as celebrant, with military honors to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, Social Concerns in East Palestine or Wounded Warrior Project, in Dr. Koren’s name.

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