Kenneth Lee Knapp, 75, of Woodbury, Minnesota, formerly of Centralia, passed away Friday, February 4, 2022. Ken valued education and had a love for numbers, which was beneficial to him while earning his bachelor’s degree from Drake University in accounting and challenged him to continue working on his master’s degree. He was a loyal and respected employee of many newspapers including The Centralia Sentinel. He was ever true to the newspaper business, affectionately known to have a love for what he did in his blood. Ken was a faithful member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Centralia where he appreciated and loved his church family. He was a servant leader who served in various roles at his church and in his communities. Ken was a great athlete who loved to play many sports. He was the St. Louis Cardinals’ biggest fan and enjoyed the excitement of watching them play. His love of the sport of baseball carried over in to collecting baseball memorabilia. He also found adventure in the hunt for rare items while stamp and coin collecting. To think of Ken, was to think of family as he found no greater joy than spending time with each one of them and making lasting memories. Game nights were a must with the family gathered to play cards and other favorite games. Ken loved to take road trips, camping across America as a boy growing up, and then carrying on the tradition with his own family. Once Ken was blessed to be a “Papa”, he made sure to include his grandchildren, taking the entire extended family to show them his favorite sights in Branson, Missouri on numerous occasions. He never missed the opportunity to check out the zoos with his kids and grandkids in the cities they visited. He was his grandchildren’s greatest encourager, and he was always available to offer his love and support. Ken was a man of integrity, who was greatly respected and his kind heart, generous nature, and true love for his family will never be forgotten.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2022, at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ (205 S Elm St in Centralia, IL) with Rev. Paula Comper and Rev. Keith Strain officiating. Friends are welcome to a visitation time to offer condolences to the family from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 11, 2022, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Centralia. Memorials may be made in Ken’s honor to Mayo Clinic Medical Oncology Department and will be accepted for the family at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia. Online condolences and memories of Ken may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
He married the love of his life, Carol Shaddox on June 8, 1968, in Hamilton, Illinois and she survives in Woodbury, Minnesota. Along with his beloved wife, Carol Knapp, survivors that will remember Ken as a loving family man include the apples of his eye: his children Stephanie Peterson of Woodbury, Minnesota, Kimberly Splechter and husband Shaun of Altamont, Illinois, and Christopher Knapp of Centralia, Illinois; cherished grandchildren Samantha, Madison, Elizabeth, Makaylee, and Zachary; siblings Karyl Jamieson, and Barbara Reeter and husband Jerry; siblings-in-law Shirley Thill, and Jerry Shaddox and wife Lea Ann; and a host of many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
He was born on September 9, 1946, the son of Floyd Arthur and Jean Elise (Warner) Knapp in Estherville, Iowa. Ken was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Jean Knapp; his parents-in-law Doug and Edith Shaddox; his brother-in-law J.D. Shaddox and wife Carolyn; brother-in-law John Thill; and son-in-law Michael Peterson.
