Lucille Marie Caroline Knolhoff, 97, of Centralia, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia.
She was born on September 24, 1927 in Hoyleton, Illinois, the daughter of Richard and Ella (Tepe) Heseman. She married Milton L. Knolhoff in 1947 at St. John’s Lutheran church in New Minden, Illinois. He preceded her in death on May 4, 2015.
Lucille is survived by three sons, Curtis Knolhoff and wife, Janet of Collinsville, Larry Knolhoff and wife Kathy of Kiawah Island, South Carolina and Bruce Knolhoff and wife Linda of Okawville, Illinois; son-in-law, Mike Sondag of Webster Groves, Missouri; Grandchildren, Norman Knolhoff (Amy), Courtney Hay (Sean), Erynn Molina (Robert), Kimberly Jaoko (Moses), Lauren Van Hoy (Scott), Justin Knolhoff (Jackie), Joshua Knolhoff (Kirby) and Nicholas Sondag, Rachael Sondag and Hannah Sondag ; Great-grandchildren, Althea, Sylvia, Eli, Nathan, Robert, Benjamin, Laila, Leo, Carolina, Griffin, Victoria, Jackson, and Kendy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Ella Heseman, her husband, Milton L. Knolhoff, a daughter, Melissa Lucille Sondag, a brother and his wife, Orville and Vera Heseman, another brother and his wife, Reimond and Alice Heseman, grandson, Adam Knolhoff and a granddaughter, Andrea Tate.
Lucille was the Washington County Nashville Fair Queen in 1945. She retired from Spieth Studio in Centralia. She continued to work with her husband at Milton Knolhoff Crafts in the St. Louis and Centralia areas. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia serving on the Friendship Guild, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the church choir. Her passion was her church, family and friends. She was an avid Orphan and St. Louis Cardinal fan.
Funeral services for Lucille Knolhoff will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 10:00 am at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. A Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to the time of service at the Funeral Home on Saturday. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Fred Pearson Foundation (Centralia Youth Initiative) or the Trinity Lutheran Church and School and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801. Those wishing to extend their condolences may do so by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page. The Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home is honored to assist the Knolhoff family during this time of remembrance.
