1928
2016
MORTON - Fritz Knapp, 88, of Morton died at 3:46 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in the emergency room at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
He was born Jan. 1, 1928, in Oberheimbach, Germany, to Fredrich and Mari (Glueck) Knapp. He married Dorothy A. Waldbusser on June 2, 1956, in Sterling, Ill. She preceded him in death on Nov. 1, 2011.
He also was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
Surviving are two sons, Fritz (Ronda) Knapp Jr. of O'Fallon, Mo., and Gary H. Knapp of Coal Valley, Ill.; five granddaughters, Laura, Christine and Stacy Knapp, Amanda Andrews and Amber (Eric) Mathews; and his fiancee, Marianne Kehlert of Morton.
Fritz worked for Caterpillar Inc. for 23 years, retiring in 1981 as a material handler from the Morton Parts Distribution Center.
He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton, where he sang in the choir for 55 years.
He was a master gardener and loved tending his garden.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home in Morton. Further visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., with Pastor Jeff Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Roberts Cemetery in Morton.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church or Bethel Lutheran School, 325 E. Queenwood Road, Morton, IL 61550.
To view Fritz's video tribute or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton.
5 Entries
lisa ford
January 13, 2016
I am so saddened to hear of Fritzy' s (as I called him ) passing. I had the pleasure of meeting & getting to know Fritz & his family while caring for his beloved Dorothy..Even after her passing we stayed in touch..speaking often.. He was so very proud of Fritz & Gary and their accomplishments..his grandchildren were the cream if the crop ..Fritz my favorite German you and Dorothy are together again holding hands that I know you have missed..Auf Wiedersehen , mein Freund
January 12, 2016
Fritz was my Godfather. Talked with him last time at his birthday last Jan 1st. He talked and behaved as he did all his live. Never saw him in a bad mood. He was always joking and friendly even when he was ill and had pains. A true paragon!
Heard how peacefull he now walked over the Bridge. Hardly know anybody else who has more deserved to go into the light in such a peacefull way.
Albrecht Plag, Germany
Terry Schmidgall
January 12, 2016
I remember Fritz from Cat and seeing him around town. He was always nice, friendly, and liked to talk. What a wonderful human being he was. Surely he will be missed. So sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Terry Schmidgall
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Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton140 S. Detroit Ave., Morton, IL 61550
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Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton140 S. Detroit Ave., Morton, IL 61550
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