Obituary

Steve Elmer Corkern

August 4, 1929 - April 26, 2023

Steve Elmer Corkern, a native of Bogalusa, LA, passed away surrounded by his family at his residence on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the age of 93.  Elmer served 4 years in the Naval Air Reserve and the Louisiana Army National Guard with 24 years of service in Bogalusa, LA and retired with 39 years of employment with Crown Zellerbach.  He was a charter member of Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bogalusa, LA.  Mr. Corkern was also a Master Mason and Shriner with the Bogalusa Masonic Lodge as well as a member of the American Legion Post #24 and the 40&8.

Mr. Corkern is survived by his wife of 71 years, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Berry Corkern; his daughters, Phylis (Earl) Cothern, Stephanie Harris, and Connie (Sam) Johnston; his grandchildren, Chad (Andrea) Cothern, Shannon (Tim) Bain, Ericka “Shelly” (Robert) Polk, Raye Ann (Neil) Harvison, Kevin Young, Jason (Maegan) Johnston, and Steven (Alli) Johnston; and his great grandchildren, Brannon Seals, Caroline Cothern, Cameron Cothern, Kristen Polk, Rylee Harvison, Lexi Seals, Malachi Harvison, Brady Seals, Grayson Johnston, Reese Johnston, Hayden Johnston, Remi Johnston, and Rowen Johnston; and his sister in law, Elaine Spencer Knight.

The Corkern family would like to extend a special thank you to Interim Hospice and their special nurses, Brittany and Stephanie.  They would also like to thank Kim “neighbor” Rabaca and Shanon Seals, Southeast Home Health, and Jason Nelson.

Mr. Corkern is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Corkern, Veta Goss Corkern Knight, and Carl Knight; his two brothers, Pete Wardel Corkern and Floyd C. Knight; and a great grandson, Nathan Eric Polk.

Visitation will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa, LA on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 1:00 P.M. until time for the services at 3:00 P.M. with Rev. Neil Harvison officiating the service.  Interment to follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Bogalusa, LA.  Military graveside rites will be conducted by the American Legion Magic City Post #24.