Gerard Knapke, age 86 of Van Wert died Friday, September 8, 2023 at Hearth and Home in Van Wert. He was born September 11, 1937 in Coldwater to the late Clarence "Dick" & Anna (Uhleman) Knapke. On June 6, 2006 he married Alice Knapke and she survives in Van Wert.

He is also survived by children, Kirk & Laurie Knapke of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Kory Knapke of Los Angeles, California; step-children,Pam & Berry Barnard of Columbus, Bobby & Lori Schlosser of Tennessee, Teresa & Mike Staas of Dayton, and Tami Kercher of Atlanta; three grandchildren, Benjamin & Kalyn Knapke, Alexander & Marissa Knapke, and Kenneth & Mckenzie Knapke; and two great-grandchildren, Collin and Kendall Knapke.

He was preceded in death by a daughter Kelli Knapke.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to family friend Deb Mace Ray.

He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert. He was a founding Grand Knight of the Van Wert Knights of Columbus 6034 and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He was also a Moose Lodge member, an organist at the Elks club for 45 years and a member of the Gold Wings Road Rider Association.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, September 16 at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. Friends may call from 10:30 AM until the time of service on Saturday, September, 16 at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Coldwater.. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.