Warren Edmund Korneffel passed away unexpectedly at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI on October 31, 2013 surrounded by his family. Warren was a fiesty little guy and earned his nickname, "Warren the Warrior." He was born, along with his twin brother Kohler, early but healthy. Warren gave us a lifetime full of love during his too short time here on earth. He lived up to his big name by teaching us many lessons about life and love. We will always remember his courage and fiesty spirit, and he will always inspire us to be better people. He was a beautiful, precious, darling boy and will be dearly missed. We will hold him again in heaven someday.
Warren is deeply loved by everyone's lives he touched. He is survived by his parents, Graham and Stephanie Korneffel, twin big brother Kohler, and family dog Duke. He is also survived by his grandparents, John and Pam Harwood and Curt and Maureen Korneffel, all of Grosse Ile. He was also loved by his aunts and uncles; Joe Harwood, Michael Harwood, Sarah Harwood, and Luke Harwood, and Ben Meeker and Dr. Meredith Korneffel, as well as his cousins Calvin Meeker, Dashiell Meeker, and Odin Harwood. He is also survived by his great-grandparents, Edwin and Angeline Harwood and Alexander and Beverly Castellese, all of Monroe. Additionally, he is survived by two great-great grandmothers, Thelka Kohler Vetter of Monroe and Agnes Harwood of Lake Odessa, MI, as well as many extended family and friends.
A celebration of Warren's life was held November 6, 2013 at Michigan Memorial Park. Since our precious little warrior, Warren, went home to be with the Lord, so have some of our family members: his great-great grandmother, Thelka Vetter, great-grandfather, Alex Castellese, and great-uncle, Ed Harwood. One new blessing, another son, Hendrik Maxwell Korneffel, has been added to our family. When Warren passed away, his twin brother Kohler was still fighting in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, so we did not publish an obituary at the time. Thankfully, Kohler survived and came home after 49 days in the NICU, and is now a thriving and active three-year old. We are publishing his obituary now in honor of the third anniversary of his death, and the upcoming first event Little Warriors, Big Victors to benefit the foundation in his memory, taking place at the Detroit Athletic Club on November 17, 2016.
Donations in Warren's memory may be made to the Warren E. Korneffel Neonatal Research Foundation, benefitting neonatal research at the Brandon Newborn Intensive Care Unit at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital. The goal of the Fund is to improve and enhance the outcomes of premature babies through research, so that more babies go home with their families. You can learn more about Warren and the foundation at littlewarriorsbigvictors.com or send a check made out to the Warren E. Korneffel Neonatal Research Foundation at The Warren E. Korneffel Neonatal Research Foundation, 2691 Veterans Parkway, Trenton, MI, 48183.