Sunny A. Podobensky

Technical Sergeant (TSGT) Sunny Ann Podobensky was born on November 26, 1975 in Cushing, Oklahoma and is the daughter of Gerald “Jerry” R. Siler and Debbie Freeman. After fighting like a champion against melanoma, Sunny passed peacefully from this world to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday evening, July 10, at Walter Reed National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, surrounded by loved ones. In 1994, Sunny graduated from Antlers High School and subsequently joined the United States Air Force in 1997 to serve her country and to provide a great way of life for her son Clay Siler. Sunny proudly served our country for 20 years. While serving in the Air Force, Sunny served as an aerospace physiologist and as an aircraft/aircrew safety and mishap officer and investigator. Sunny won multiple Air Force, Command, Wing, Group, and Squadron awards throughout her career. Sunny also served as the first female State Air Force Association president while stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. During Sunny’s time in the Air Force, she earned a dual Master’s in Aeronautical Science with a focus on Safety and Human Factors from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. She also earned an MBA from Webster University. Furthermore, Sunny deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Sunny was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, NATO Medal, and numerous others. Sunny served at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Brooks Air Force Base, Texas; Vance Air Force Base, Kansas; and finally at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Sunny joined Greg Podobensky in marriage in 2008 in Kansas, and their love brought them Gunner Podobensky in 2010. When Sunny wasn’t being an exceptional airman or mother, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by working out often, volunteering, traveling, spending time at the ocean or beach, shopping, giving to charities, and she was an avid fan of the Real Housewives on Bravo TV. Sunny also was always willing to go out of her way to help friends, family, or a stranger in need. She gave to multiple charities and food banks. Some of Sunny’s favorite charities were Compassion International, where she assisted families in need in Africa; Angels on the Christmas Tree; and numerous other organizations. Sunny was a true humanitarian. Sunny is survived by her loving husband Greg Podobensky; two sons Clay Siler and Gunner Podobensky; mother Debbie Freeman; sisters Misty Gather (Kevin), Kim Smith (Dewayne), Alison Cannon (Rodger); brother James Siler (Sergio); father- and mother-in-law Greg and Vicky Podobensky; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father Gerald “Jerry” R. Siler, and grandparents Bob and Alice Siler and Bob and Dorothy Johnson. Services will be held Friday, July 15, 2016 at noon on Joint Base Andrews, Chapel One, where she will receive full military honors. A memorial service will also be held in Antlers, Oklahoma on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you make a donation in her honor to either the Melanoma Research Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the Fisher House, or to take time and donate blood or platelets to give others a fighting chance. Furthermore, please remember to protect yourself by always wearing sunscreen and to get a skin check by a physician or dermatologist often. Links: GoFundMe – www.gofundme.com/2dgg32c Melanoma Research Foundation – www.melanoma.org/get-involved/support-the-mrf Fisher House – www.fisherhouse.org/ways-to-give Armed Services Blood Program – www.militaryblood.dod.mil To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sunny A. Podobensky please visit our Sympathy Store.