Rogers-

Dr. John Phillip Koren, D.O. passed away peacefully February 25th, 2024, at Select Specialty Hospital in Boardman, Ohio.  Dr. Koren was born May 26th, 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 the 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, Ohio.

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 Reserves and opened his family practice at the former Dr. Elliots 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.

Dr Koren passed peacefully on February 25th at the age of 87 with his wife Marcia, son Matthew, sister Judy and nephew Jeffrey by his side. John is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years Marcia 'nee Thomson; son Matthew; and sisters Mary Jane Penman (James), JoAnn Evan, Judy Davis (Robert) and Susan Garchar (Ronald) and 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; 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 his 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 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 Friday March 1st from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Linsley- Royal Funeral Home in East Palestine.

A funeral mass will be held 11:00 AM 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 the Wounded Warriors Project in Dr. Korens name.

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