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Mark Knust Obituary
Fort Gratiot
Mark K. Knust, age 61, of Fort Gratiot died unexpectedly of natural causes on January 19, 2016. He was born April 16, 1954 in South Bend, Indiana to Donald and Rita Knust. He married Janet L. Smith on August 13, 1977 in Port Huron. Mark was the owner and President of Marysville Marine Distributors. He was a graduate of Western Michigan University where he was a scholarship player on their football team, and later a pitcher on their baseball team.
Mark's favorite times were spent with his beloved family, the joys and loves of his life, Janet, Kelly, and Kevin, and his many close friends. Mark enjoyed boating and his many fishing adventures with his son and buddies. He was an avid Spartans fan and tailgater. Mark also loved traveling with friends and family, always looking forward to the next adventure. He was a selfless man who loved helping others, and always went out of his way to make sure everyone felt special.
He is survived by his wife, Janet L. Knust, 2 children, Kelly (Bradley) Knust-Herms, Kevin Knust, his mother, Rita Knust, 2 sisters, Kathy (John) Shurr, and Becky Shoulders, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert "Rod" and Colleen Smith, a sister-in-law, Linda (Bob) Kempf, and several nieces and nephews. Mark was preceded in death by his father, 2 sisters, Connie and Marybeth, a brother, Terry, a brother-in-law Doug Smith, and a nephew, Brian Kuehn.
A funeral service will take place at 11 AM Saturday at the Smith Family Funeral Home - North, 1525 Hancock Street with The Rev. Max Amstutz officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM and on Saturday beginning at 10AM. Memorials may be made to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County or to the donor's choice of charities. www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark Knust
Joan Willenbrock
June 24, 2017
Hello Janet,
A voice from St Louis and your past. I am so sorry to learn about Mark's passing. You two were a great couple that I have thought about through the years.
Joe was reminiscing at dinner remembering our dating years and asked about both of you. He learned sadly about Mark and told me about the obituary.
I wish you the very best and may you find joy always.
Joan Willenbrock
Nan Oliver
February 15, 2016
Jan I'm so sorry for your loss..I know Dad thought a lot of Mark...I.know how hard it is to be your age and lose your spouse .
Your friends will hold you up. Love you
The Tetreau Family
January 28, 2016
Janet, we are so sorry for your family's loss.
Kathleen Nolan
January 27, 2016
Linda,
we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother-in-law. Our heart goes out to all of you and know that we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers today and in the days to come. Tim & Kathy Nolan
Mark and Chris Chmura
January 27, 2016
I am thankful for all Marks help with all my boats and had a lot of good times fishing with Mark, Kevin and his friends. When ever I work on my boats ( that is all the time ) I will think of Mark. Sorry to the whole family and thinking of you Kevin.
By. Captain Mark
Ron & Denise Wiltse
January 26, 2016
We are very sorry for the loss of Mark. Always loved seeing you two at Spartan games. Our sympathy to you, Janet, and your family.
Jarie Laws
January 25, 2016
Janet "Smitty", my sincere condolences to you and your family, I hope with time your heavy heart will become lighter and you will be able to look forward with a smile.
Jarie ( Bird) Laws, Ft. Gratiot, Mich.
Sandi Rhorer (Bainbridge)
January 25, 2016
Janet, So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Sidni Figlak
January 24, 2016
Kelly: Beth told me about your Dad. We are so sorry for your loss. I still remember sitting in the bleachers with him cheering you girls on.....God bless you, honey.
January 23, 2016
Dear Janet and family, gentle prayers of love and peace to you all at this time from Nancy Kempf.
Jamie Bauer
January 23, 2016
To the Knust family, we are sorry to hear about your loss. The UPS family sends its condolences.
January 23, 2016
Janet - Mom told me about Mark's passing. I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear about this. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Praying for peace for you.
-Stephanie Day Rankin
Lynette Griffith (Freeze)
January 23, 2016
Janet,
I was a fellow classmate of Mark's at Marian High School. He was such a kind, wonderful person. I am truly sorry for your loss and pray for God's peace to comfort you & your precious family during this difficult time.
January 23, 2016
Heartfelt sympathy to the entire Knust family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love and Hugs, Maureen and Denny Borowiak
Julius & Gloria Traub
January 23, 2016
Janet so sorry to hear of Mark's passing what a great person always so kind to us..Will keep you and your family in our daily prayers
Casey Bushey
January 23, 2016
My condolences to your family! Mark was such a kind-hearted man. He cared so deeply for the people he knew and left such an impact!! He will be greatly missed.
Marilyn Biernot-Hess
January 22, 2016
So sorry for your loss. He was a good man and will be missed by all who knew him!
Joe and Jean Chorostecki
January 22, 2016
Our deepest sympathies to you Janet as well as to Kelly and Kevin, and all of your family. May God comfort you now and in the days to come during this very difficult time.
Joseph and Crystal DiFranco
January 22, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Debra Budinger
January 22, 2016
Janet; so very sorry for your loss. Didn't know Mark, but he must have been a special person to have you in his life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jim Mcquillan
January 22, 2016
My condolences to the entire Knust family. Mark was a wonderful person and I have great memories of him and his Winding Brook family. He left us way too soon.
Donna Partipilo
January 22, 2016
We are so sorry to hear of Mark's passing..please accept our sincere condolences...Frank and Donna Partipilo
January 22, 2016
All our Prayers of condolence hopefully will touch your hearts. We are so sorry for Mark's loss. Seems like yesterday we all sat watching PHN Boys/Girls Sports. Love & Comfort now, forever to Janet, Kelley, Kevin, family. Bless you, Darlene Peterson & Family.
KJ Hintz
January 22, 2016
I'm truly saddened to hear of your loss. Mark was freind and teammate from Marian.
Steve Richards
January 22, 2016
Janet,
Prayers are with you and your family.
Bettie Jean Pollina
January 22, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss...My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...May you find peace and comfort with your many memories.
January 22, 2016
sorry for your loss.many happy memories from Marian high school days
frank and virginia palfi
Liz Pelton
January 22, 2016
My sincerest condolences to you and your family Janet ....xox
May God give you peace.....♡
Kathy Nania (wellin)
January 21, 2016
To Mark's family,
I also grew up without the Knust family in Winding Brook/ Saint Monica's, Marian High school. Mark was alway such a gentleman and so kind, funny and happy. I am so sorry for the much too soon loss of such a dear person. Prayers and thoughts are with you today and in the days ahead.
Dave Coleman
January 21, 2016
My prayers and condolences to you, Mark became a friend in business and a friend to me. I hold a great deal of respect for him, he will remain close in my prayers. With sorrow and respect,
Dave Coleman
Terry & Sue Fagan
January 21, 2016
Dear Janet, no words can help right now, but know you all will remain in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs
Cathy Ernst
January 21, 2016
Dear Janet, My heart is broken for you and the kids! I'm out of state right now! My heartfelt and deepest sympathy goes out to you, Kelly and Kevin! Praying for all of you! XOXO
Elaine & Ervin Bazata
January 21, 2016
Janet and family, my sympathy and prayers to you, I am Marks Aunt Elaine-Marks Dad sister from Arizona.
Debra Ladensack
January 21, 2016
Janet, please accept my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am out of state unable to mourn with you. I hope you find some comfort in the arms of those you love.
Jane & Donald MacQueen
January 21, 2016
Janet & Family - We are so sorry for your loss. Take good care of each other. Jane & Donald MacQueen, Ann Arbor
January 21, 2016
So Sorry for your loss Janet!!
You are in my prayers!
Love,
Catherine Shinske
Kevin Conran
January 21, 2016
Janet and Family,
I'm greatly saddened at the news of Mark's passing and my sympathies are with you and your family . Mark and I grew up together as next door neighbors in Winding Brook Park. We played a lot of sports together over the years and I remember Mark as a fierce competitor and the ultimate teammate. I looked forward to seeing Mark at the Marion High School reunions as those were the only times we crossed each other path anymore. Mark was a wonderful human being! I will miss him......
Darcy Garrett
January 21, 2016
This breaks my heart. Janet you are in my thoughts and prayers
January 21, 2016
Janet & Family, so sorry for your loss. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you and your family- love, Alice & Gino Mariani
Kevin Conran
January 21, 2016
Janet, I'm filled with sadness at the news of Marks passing! This is Kevin Conran, Marks next door neighbor from Winding Brook, you may remember me from the Marion High School reunions. We played a lot of sports together over the years and Mark was a fierce competitor and ultimate teammate. Above all Mark was wonderful human being and I will miss him!
Kevin Conran ( Minnetonka, MN)
pam naplin
January 21, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mike Cudlip
January 21, 2016
God bless Janet,
Sue Rogers
January 21, 2016
Janet, My heartfelt sympathy to you and you family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
January 21, 2016
My heart goes out to your family....what a wonderful father and husband. I have fond memories of volleyball and how much he enjoyed cheering Kelly on. Praying for your family.
Celia Kackman-Schropp
January 21, 2016
I have so many great memories with you all and feel horrible for your loss. Love you guys
mark kubacki
January 21, 2016
Janet and Family, I am so sorry for our loss,Mark was my buddy through Grade School and High School, my first thoughts are that the nuns at St. Monica would line us up in alphabetical order and Mark always was in front of me. As you know he was always, in many ways, just ahead of us all. Great guy I'll miss him
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