Beach Park soldier death still probed
Killed while fighting in Afghanistan, Army Sgt. John M. Penich, 25, of Beach Park, may have died of wounds inflicted by "friendly fire" shot from U.S. planes.
"Nothing has been 100 percent confirmed at this point," his older brother Jeff Penich said Saturday.
Military officials told family members about the "friendly fire" possibility shortly after informing them of Penich's death more than a week ago and well before that angle was reported by NBC, Jeff Penich said. The TV network had a crew filming in Afghanistan and aired a report saying that Penich was killed by mortars dropped from U.S. planes firing at Taliban fighters.
"We heard it was a possibility, but the investigation is not over. The report hasn't been released," Jeff Penich said.
He said family members, including his brother, knew about the risks of "friendly fire."
"Obviously there's sadness there, but it's an unfortunate thing than can happen in war," Jeff Penich said. "We're not holding a grudge or blame anyone. It's just an unfortunate part of war."
Sgt. John M. Penich was killed Oct. 16 in Karangol Village. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Visitation for Penich will be from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road in Zion. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Humility Church, 10655 Wadsworth Road in Beach Park. Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park in Zion. A Sgt. John M. Penich Memorial Fund for the college education of his nieces and nephews has been established at First Midwest Bank, 3303 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL 60099.
Penich is survived by his mother, Kathy ("Dad" Mike) Garross; father, James (Diane) Penich; brothers, Jimmy (Michelle) Penich and Jeff (Nicole) Penich; sister, Crystal (Pete) Barrett; grandparents, Donald (Pat) Weidner and Roger (Barbara) Garross; great-grandmother, Mary Hall; nieces and nephews, Autumn Long, Bryce and Eva Barrett, and Hailey and Hunter Penich, and the love of his life, Sarah Kelley.
Also surviving are other family, including, Jill Garross, Kim Zabresky, Kim (Chris) Van Beek, Clarissa Van Beek, Dan (Denise) Garross, Cassie and Chloe Garross, Denise (Dave) Balmes, Allie Balmes, Ray Caddell, Michael (Mary) Penich, Michael (Abbey) Penich, Tim Penich; dear friend, Mikey Kitch; and countless other friends and comrades.
His grandparents, Elaine Weidner, Michael Penich Sr., and Jennie Penich; great-grandparents, Katherine Garross and Ned Hall; and great-great-grandmother, Eva Gallup all died previously.
Death: Brother says family isn't holding a grudge