David Allan Knell

Pastor David Allan Knell, 57, of Hancock, Michigan, has ended his earthly struggle Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at Marquette General Hospital. He was a victim of a massive stroke. He was born November 30, 1951, in Wyandotte, Michigan, a son of the late Robert and Lenore (Barr) Knell and was a 1969 graduate of Allen Park High School. David graduated from NMU in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a teaching certificate. He attended Grand Rapids School of the Bible & Music and received a diploma in Bible Studies in 1978 and later completed the Faith Baptist Biblical Counseling Program. On June 10, 1972 he married the former Vickie Bakker in West Olive, Michigan. He was employed as pastor at Calvary Bible Church in Berne, Indiana for 18 years. David then worked in the Swiss Village in Berne as a CNA, then LPN. In 2006 he and his family moved to Hancock as a church planting missionary with the Independent Bible Mission and was pastor at Copper Country Bible Church and also did work with Portage Home Health. He was a servant of God and a servant to men, a caring pastor with a heart for feeding God's people and caring for His sheep. He was a faithful husband, father and friend, a constant witness of God's mercy, grace, love and faithfulness. He taught his children that we are who we are when no one is looking and he lived it. David was a competitor who ran road races a tackled mountain bike competitions, managed and swam on high school swim team, even loved playing backyard hockey as a kid and watching his favorite college hockey teams as an adult, but the sport dearest to his heart was his rowing. He was a family man who could beat you in ping-pong or tennis, give "under-dogs" on the swingset or "whale rides" in the pool, but afterward grill for the whole family. David coached soccer, organized games and juggled schedules for the counties three schools. He was truly "all things to all men" and the family cannot express how much they will miss David Allan Knell. He was loved by many and will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Vickie Knell of Hancock; children, Kyle (Sarah) Knell of Berne, IN, Holly Knell of Hancock, Matthew (Tabitha) Knell of Eagle River, AK, Joel (Michelle) Knell of Bluffton, IN, Zanna Knell of Hancock and Paul (Danielle) Knell of Berne, IN; grandchildren, Kyrah, Christopher, Angela, Sophia, Tristan, Todd, Elliott, Ethan, Ezra, Carter, Phoebe and Asher; brothers, Paul (Jodie) Knell of Holland, MI and Randy (Kim) Knell of Allen Park, MI; nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 4 p.m. at Marquette Bible Church in Marquette with Rev. David Chambers officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Independent Bible Mission at 749 Lamoreaux Drive, P.O. Box 270, Comstock Park, MI 49321. The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family.