Louis "Tom" Thomas Korniak

Louis Thomas Korniak (Tom), 92, passed away February 22, 2026, at Parkview Haven Nursing Home. Tom was born to Louis and Rose (Froncek) Korniak in East Chicago, Indiana on August 13, 1933. On November 8, 1958, Tom married the love of his life Patricia Siegrist. They were blessed with 5 children. Together they built a life based on hard work, faith, and full of love. Tom had a passion for agriculture. A 1952 graduate of Wheatfield High School, he was an active 4-H and FFA member earning his American Farmer Degree. He was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer. Nothing made him happier than driving his gravel roads to check on the crops and the cattle. On the same roads, he was the first to teach all of his kids and grandkids to drive. Throughout his career he served many years on the Jasper County Weed Board, spent countless hours on the combine, and kept families fed with Korniak Farms Freezer Beef. Tom enjoyed passing on his appreciation for agriculture to future generations. He loved mentoring 4-H youth in selecting their project for the year. He was fortunate enough to have raised and sold back-to-back Grand Champion 4-H Barrows at the Indiana State Fair. If you asked Tom, his biggest accomplishment in life was his family. He was the husband, dad and Dzia Dzia everyone deserves. He shared his wisdom, was the family jokester, the Euchre King, and was the front row supporter at every event, whether it was a basketball game, choir concert, or livestock show. He always had time for the ones he loved. Everyone has a core memory of sitting around the table playing cards with him. He was a strong believer of just ONE more game of euchre or Skip Bo, even if it meant staying up past bedtimes. Tom lived a life of service and was proud member of his community. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he served during the Korean War. Tom also served as the Barkley Township Trustee for serval years, was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, a devoted parishioner of St. Augustine Catholic Church, and even drove a bus route from Rensselaer Central School Corporation. Everyone knew and loved Tom Korniak. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sister Anne Marie Nichols, brothers-in-law Bill Valade, Jay Nichols and son-in-law Eric Young. Tom is survived by his wife Patricia; children Kim Young, Thomas (Kim Mitchell) Korniak, Nick (Lynn) Korniak, Andrew (Andrea) Korniak, Jeremy (Linda) Korniak; grandchildren Rosalie Korniak, Kasey Korniak, Nicole (Kyle) Wallace, Natalie (Cooper) Smith, Jacob (Zoe) Korniak II, Megan (Zach) Stegmuller, Allison Korniak; great grandchildren Wyatt Howe, Benjamin Wallace, Maxwell Wallace; sibling Frances Valade and several other nieces, nephews, and cousins. A visitation will be held at Jackson Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 9:00AM to 12:00PM Central Time. A Funeral Mass will follow at 12:00PM at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Joshua Bennett and Father Rick Nagel officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery with full military rites. Memorials may be made to the Gibault School for Boys or St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Louis "Tom" Thomas Korniak

August 13, 1933 - February 22, 2026