Warren Emerson Knepp, 88, of Odin, Illinois passed away on June 19th, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born May 8th, 1936, to Hannah Louise Knepp in Clearfield, PA. Warren married Caroline McNamar in Oklahoma in 1953, they later divorced. He then married Annette Berry in Denver, Colorado on August 5th, 1986.
Warren came to the Centralia area with the Wheaton Plastic Company as head maintenance man in 1969. He later moved to Colorado where he lived for 24 years. While there he worked as a ranch manager for three different ranches. After retiring he moved to Odin, Illinois. He spent his time as the maintenance man for the Elks Lodge in Centralia and was an active volunteer with the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Odin.
Warren always looked forward to the Christmas season. He spent many years being Santa Claus at many children’s benefits and parties both in the Odin area and Colorado. He enjoyed this very much as he was Santa to his large family as well as all the children he saw every year.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his stepfather: Arthur Wayne Maines; four brothers: Chester Maines, Gilbert ‘Gibb’ Maines, Leslie ‘Buzz’ Maines, and Leland ‘Pete’ Maines; and two grandchildren: Summer Bradford and Quintin Fletcher.
Warren is survived by his loving wife, Annette, who resides in Odin. He is also survived by his thirteen children, Gwen & Raymond Beasley, Thelma ‘Luke’ & Tim Wallis, Dorothy Bonner, Mary Knepp and Ronnie and Alicia Kirgan, all of Centralia, Warren ‘Fats’ & Julie Knepp of Durham, NC, Ruby & Robert Berry of Richview, Cathy & Kevin Schremp of Oak Ridge, MO, Art & Tammy Knepp of Cape Girardeau, MO, Wayne & Mary Berry of Hoffman, Barbara & Randy Bullard of Odin, and Terry Martinez of Texas, 2 sisters Bonnie Tibbens and Connie Tibbens. He has thirty-two grandchildren, forty-nine great-grandchildren with one on the way, seven great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
His wishes are cremation after the gift of organ donation. A memorial service will be held at the Gospel Lighthouse in Odin on June 29th , 2024, at 10:00 am with Pastor Curt Matthews officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Helping Hands Food Bank, 1004 East Poplar Street Odin, Illinois 62870. L.R. Osborn & Sons Funeral Home of Kell, Illinois is honored to be of service to Warren’s family
