Knupp, John Arthur

John Arthur Knupp, 91, of Marion, formerly of Central City, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids, with Pastor Terry Hamilton and Pastor Michael Kleeberger officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

John was born Sept. 26, 1921, in Vinton, Iowa, to Adam C. and Hannorah (McMahon) Knupp. He attended country school through eight grade and later graduated from Vinton High School. Then he and his parents moved to a farm just west of Waubeek, where he farmed with his father for a few years.

John was united in marriage to Martha Ellen Davis of Central City on Feb. 12, 1944, at Jordan's Grove Baptist Church. Soon thereafter John's parents retired to California. John and Martha continued to operate the farm where they raised three children and entertained many grandchildren before moving to Marion in 2001. Martha preceded John in death on Nov. 7, 2012.

Survivors include his son, John (Leann); daughters, Sharon Henson (Stanley) and Sandra Childers (James); one sister, Frances Carns (Harry, deceased); one sister-in-law, Charlotte Knupp (Howard, deceased); grandchildren, John Allen Knupp (Kristi), Dorene Hickey (Kevin), Jason Knupp (Debbie), Janice Crow (Steve), Scott Henson, Seth Henson (Christy), Daniel Childers (Andrea), Rebecca Barber (Jonathan), and David Childers (Ashley); as well as 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, John was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson-in-law, Jeffrey Holderman (Dorene); as well as three brothers, Warren (Phyllis, deceased), James (Sylvia, deceased) and Howard (Charlotte).

John farmed his entire life and also worked at Collins Radio Co. in Cedar Rapids for 27 years. He was a longtime member of Squaw Creek Baptist Church in Marion. John served as treasurer and deacon at the church as well as Sunday school teacher and junior youth leader.

John loved children and was a favorite uncle to all of his nieces and nephews. His children and grandchildren have fond memories of his games of fox-and-geese, his snow forts and hay forts, his bonfires and cookouts, and the tree houses and play houses he so lovingly constructed for them.

John's favorite memories centered on the 20 winters he and Martha spent in Zephyrhills, Fla., after John retired from Collins. There they enjoyed many fun activities with family and friends, such as picnics in state parks, outings with church friends, taking visiting grandchildren to the beach or to the attractions, having friends in for meals, riding trikes, and playing rousing games of dominoes, Scrabble, or Five Crowns.

John's family wishes to express their gratitude to the St. Luke's Hospice and the caring employees at Summit Pointe Senior Living Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family of John Arthur Knupp.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published March 21, 2013 in The Gazette