Robert Knupp

McCLURE -- Robert E. "Doc" Knupp, 80, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2011, in Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Robert was born July 22, 1930, in St. Louis, the son of Arlie E. and Gladys A. (Dollman) Knupp. He was a member of Jonesboro Masonic Lodge 111 and proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force.

Robert graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1947 and played minor league baseball until joining the U.S. Air Force in 1950, serving three years overseas duty. Robert traveled extensively all over the United States in his early years, but always returned to his beloved home in McClure and resided there for the last 42 years of his life.

Robert was employed by Illinois Department of Transportation as an Alexander County supervisor for more than 22 years. He retired in 1991 to pursue his new career as a sport fisherman and his research was focused primarily on Wolf Lake and Cedar Lake where he became renowned as a local expert.

Robert is survived by a sister, Mary Ellen Wilson of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Paul R. (Shirley) Knupp of Hazelwood, Mo., and Ge-rald W. (Ann) Knupp of Phoenix City, Ala.; two nieces; seven nephews, numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and countless lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Margaret Jo Stark; a brother, John A. Knupp and a niece, Vicki Ludwinski.

Services for Robert Knupp will be at noon Saturday, June 11, 2011, in Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro with the Rev. Randy Morgan officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the funeral home. Masonic services will be at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in Jonesboro Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Shriners charity.

To view this obituary or to leave online condolences, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.