Farming and flying were two of Kevin Sonnenberg’s greatest loves. Having grown up in Northwest Ohio just south of the small Henry County village of McClure, farming was an obvious choice. His parents, Marvin and Jean Sonnenberg, had raised a family of four, Kevin, and his three sisters, Vickie, Diana and Jennifer, on the farm. With Kevin as their only son, he was his dad’s “right-hand man”. This farmboy would learn dedication and perseverance which showed in his high school years at Napoleon where he played football and placed at State in wrestling. When he decided to go to college, his farming would pay for a two year degree at Northwest Tech and a Bachelor Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University. While attending BGSU, Kevin decided to pursue his love of planes. He took instructional courses at the Adrian, Michigan airport for his private pilot license.

After graduating from BGSU in 1988, Kevin used his Education degree to teach Industrial Arts in the Northwest Ohio area. While still farming and teaching, his passion for flying was continuing to grow. Kevin looked for an opportunity to change his career path to include flying. The Ohio Air National Guard allowed him that opportunity.

In July, 1990, Kevin enlisted in the Air National Guard and would soon realize his dreams. He graduated from a Euro-Nato Undergraduate Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas in July, 1993. Then, in May, 1994, he completed his F-16 training at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. During his seventeen year career with the 180th Air National Guard based in Swanton, Ohio, Kevin was deployed to numerous state-side and overseas operations. Lieutenant Colonel Kevin “Sonny” Sonnenberg served in support in Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq in Operations including Operation Provide Comfort II, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Edge and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his military career, Lt. Col. Sonnenberg received various awards and honors, some of which are The Air Medal, The Air Force Achievement Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal and The Bronze Star Medal.

While serving his country, Kevin also found a career opportunity with Delta Airlines as a commercial airline pilot. Although his flying career took him all over the world, he always called the small rural farming community of McClure “home”. When he wasn’t in the sky or in the field, he and his father built Kevin’s home just north of where he grew up.

While enjoying a family bonfire one beautiful evening in May, 2007, with his parents, sisters and their families, Kevin said goodbye before he left for his 45 day deployment in Iraq. Married just under a year, the other love in his life, Lorin, said goodbye to him the next day at the 180th Guard Base as she watched his F-16 fly off in the evening sky.

On the evening of June 15, 2007, Kevin’s wife awoke to a knock at the door... Kevin’s plane was missing. The family gathered at his parent’s home praying throughout the night that there would be a phone call with Kevin’s voice asking how the crops were doing or if it had rained... Eight long hours turned into a families worst nightmare. The F-16 Kevin had been piloting had crashed just minutes after take-off. He had not survived. February 10, 1965 - June 15, 2007. Two weeks later, Kevin would be at rest, home again, to the farm and the land that he loved. His final resting place is in Northwest Ohio just outside of the small Henry County village of McClure.

LT. COL. KEVIN

“SONNY”

SONNENBERG

2/10/65 - 6/15/07

Ohio Air National Guard

Operation Iraqi Freedom

419-748-7459 • sonnysmiles@me.com