Earl Korngiebel Jr. Obituary: Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, East Haven

Earl F. Korngiebel, Jr. 86, of Meriden, and formerly of Wallingford, and East Haven, CT peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on October 13, 2026 at the Connecticut Baptist Home in Meriden, CT after long battles with several health issues. Earl was born on June 28, 1940 in New Haven, CT, the son of the late Earl F. Korngiebel, Sr. and the late Lillian (Evarts) Korngiebel. Earl was predeceased by his late wife Patricia Cook Korngiebel and is survived by his daughters Cheryl (the late Michael) Sgrignari and Debby (the late William) Suprono. He is also survived by his grandchildren Matthew (Nicole) Sgrignari, Christopher Sgrignari, Kevin Suprono and Katie Suprono.

Earl attended the East Haven Public School system, graduating from East Haven High School in 1958. While in high school, Earl was a valuable member of the basketball team. After high school, Earl further studied Auto Mechanics at Eli Whitney Technical School. Earl was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force from October 8, 1961 through October 7, 1965, achieving the rank of Airman First Class with advanced training as an aircraft mechanic. He was stationed at Scott AFB in Belleville, Illinois and served as a member of the Military Honor Guard for 2 1/2 years.

After being honorably discharged from the Airforce, Earl worked for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier until his retirement in January 2000. During his employment he received several awards and was an Employee Involvement Facilitator for 5 years. Earl was a member of Old Stone Church from 1954 - present. He served on various boards and committees and also as Church Moderator, Chair of the Board of Deacons, co-founder of the Old Stone Church thrift shop and, along with his wife Pat, as a Junior High Youth Group Advisor. Earl also served on several civic boards including the East Haven Big Blues Swim Club and the Green Lawn Cemetery Association.

From 1967-2005, Earl was a very active member of both the Masonic Fraternity and the Shriners’ Community, achieving such awards as the Master Achievement Award, the Eminent Commander and a member of the Shriner Pyramid Drum Corp. Earl reached the highest office of Potentate in 2005. Earl further “gave back” to the community by driving patients back and forth to the Shriners’ Burn Hospital in Springfield, MA.

Although Earl was very community minded, he also enjoyed being at home gardening, cooking, wood working and hosting parties with Pat at their home. He and Pat also enjoyed traveling after their retirement and during their tenure with the Masonic and Shriners’ organizations. One of his greatest sources of happiness came from spending time with his beloved grandchildren.

Family will receive friends on Monday October 19, 2026 from 4 to 7 PM on in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. All are invited to meet and attend a Funeral Service on Tuesday October 20 at 11 AM in the Old Stone Church, 251 Main Street, East Haven with Burial to follow with full US Air Force Honors at Green Lawn Cemetery, East Haven.

Donations may be made to Shriners Children's Boston, 51 Blossom Street, Boston MA 02114 or the Old Stone Church, 251 Main Street, East Haven CT 06512 in memory of Earl Korngiebel Jr.