Lawrence "Whitey" Knannlein

Lawrence "Whitey" Knannlein

Lawrence "Whitey" Knannlein passed away on December 17, 2025. Whitey was born in Toledo, Ohio, on April 15, 1941. He was an extraordinary man who touched the lives of many people he came into contact with throughout his momentous life.

He was an American solider trained as a combat engineer. During his time in the army, he was a platoon sergeant in the 463rd combat engineer battalion and then in the 983rd construction battalion. Whitey was also an expert on firearms, motivated by his love for history. As a member of the 20th army corps rifle team, he was regarded as one of the top competitors in the U.S.A. with the M-14 rifle.

Whitey was a proud member of the Toledo Police Department for 25 years. As a police officer, his favorite assignments were uniform patrol, instructing in the police academy, and working as certified and licensed chemical dependency counselor focusing on police officers. During his time as a counselor, he was ordered to turn over confidential records; an order he flatly refused to obey in the interest of protecting his clients. This was controversial at the time but ultimately is regarded as a glimmering stamp of his honest and just character. The story was published in The Blade and became an inspiration for many. A reminder to do the right thing, even when it is challenging. He also worked as an adjunct professor at Owens College for 21 years, instructing numerous law enforcement courses to police trainees. When he retired from T.P.D., he worked as chief of security for Armada Oil & Gas for 20 years. He also taught a concealed carry course to hundred of civilians in the Toledo area.

Whitey was raised in the Catholic Church, and he was deeply proud of his Catholic faith. He adored the sacraments, especially confession. He remained loyal to the Church, even in the 1990s when the global church view was tumultuous. During this time, he was hired under Bishop Blair and Bishop Thomas as the primary investigator on behalf of the Toledo Diocese, and while this was some of his most difficult work, it was a vocation he approached with grave intent and pride.

If you asked Whitey, he would tell you that most important to his legacy was his fierce and unrelenting love for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Lawrence; and his sister, Marilyn, who passed unexpectedly at age 39. He spoke of her fondly and often. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughters, Kristen, Lori (Chris Archer), Angela (Don Rahman), and Rebecca (Shawn Hogan); also his 7 grandchildren, Alexxis, Arika, Alex, Mason, Andrew James, Alyssa, and Jayvn, all of whom loved him dearly. He was a gentle giant, whose words could make you feel ten feet tall. He believed your mind, compassion, and honesty were your superpowers if wielded properly. Whitey was committed to the pursuit of knowledge and truth and he was an example to all those who were lucky enough to be in his periphery. The waves of his impact will be felt for decades to come and he will be so incredibly missed.

Any and all are welcome to please join us in celebrating his life for a visitation and urn showing January 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 W. Sylvania Ave., and again from 9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m., on Saturday, January 3, 2025, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, where a Mass of the Resurrection will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a polish luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Central Catholic High School or St. Catherine of Siena Church.

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