Obituary of Herbert Henry Kornelsen

Herbert Henry Kornelsen

September 14, 1935 – October 22, 2020

We are saddened to announce the sudden passing of Herbert Henry Kornelsen at the age of 85, at the Hamilton General Hospital. Herb was born and raised in Wheatley, Ontario moving away to attend the University of Windsor.  On October 10, 1959 he married his wife Clara and then settled in St Catharines where they raised their family.  Herb was a teacher for the Niagara District School Board and spent most of his career teaching at Lakeport Secondary School.  He was passionate about his students and helping them to understand math whether it was balancing a cheque book or solving a calculus equation.  In 1992 he retired and turned his energies to his garden where he cultivated fruits, vegetables and a variety of flowers.  He took immense pleasure in seeing the fruits of his labor and freely shared baskets of tomatoes and apples withfamily, friends, neighbours and community organizations. It gave him great satisfaction to visit the fruit cellar and see the canned peaches, tomato juice, pickles and jam that he and Clara canned.  He also enjoyed golfing, woodworking and volunteering for various charities.  Herb had a strong sense of family.  He spent hours pouring through family history books and explaining all the connections.  He enjoyed any time that he could spend with his grandchildren.  He was the proudest Grandpa when attending sporting events, graduations and most recently the wedding of his granddaughter Nicole. Herb was an active member of Grace Mennonite Church where he spent many years singing in the choir and developing close friendships. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Clara. A loving father of David and Wasif, Wayne and Wendy, Doug and Trish and Grandpa to five grandchildren, Emily and Chris, Matthew and Alana, Nicole and Jeremy, Ben and Melanie, and Elijah. He will be missed by his sisters, Margreta (Stan) Gronskiand Ruth Palmer.  He is predeceased by his parents Henry and Mary, sister Marlene and brother John.  Herb touched the lives of many and he will be missed by family and friends alike.

Visitations will take place on Monday October 26 from 2-4, and 6-8, at Tallman Funeral Home, 3277 King Street, Vineland Ontario.  A private funeral and burial will be held.  Memorial Donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee of Canada or the Mennonite Disaster Services, charities close to his heart