Saturday, March 11th, 2017
Jerry Knapke
Jerry E. Knapke, 85, of Coldwater died on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Celina Manor.
He was born October 16, 1931 in Philothea to the late Edward & Helen (Dues) Knapke. On July 2, 1955, he married Marlene (Hemmelgarn) who survives in Coldwater.
He is survived by daughters, Karla Knapke of Tipp City and Alicia & Chet Stanley of Marysville; six grandchildren, Josh, Hileigh, Hannah, Julia, Grace, and Rose; four great grandchildren, Jack, Maddie, Max, Devin; siblings Mary Lou Fortener of Coldwater and Ed & Toni Knapke of Louisville, KY; and in laws, Louie Braun of St. Henry, Tom & Dolly Hemmelgarn of Ft. Recovery, Dave & Georgie Hemmelgarn of Lewisburg, Bill & Mary Lou Hemmelgarn of Portland and Nancy Hemmelgarn of Chicago, IL.
He is preceded in death by siblings Bob & Josie Knapke, Jim & Ruth Knapke, and Sylvia Braun; parents in law Clem & Julia Hemmelgarn; and in laws Walt Fortener, and Larry Hemmelgarn.
He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, the men's Holy Name of the church and Coldwater American Legion Post #470.
Jerry served as a sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War and worked as a supervisor at the former New Idea Plant in Coldwater. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, and bowling; he was the first to roll a 300 game at Pla-Mor Lanes in Coldwater.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Monday at Holy Trinity Church, Coldwater. Burial with military rites will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.
Friends may call from 1 to 6 PM on Sunday and 9 to 10 AM on Monday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association.
Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.
