Obituaries

May 18, 1920 to May 5, 2016

WINAMAC - Everett Earl Knebel, 95, of Winamac, (formerly of Star City) passed away at 10:03 p.m., Thursday, May 5, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born May 18, 1920, on a farm in Van Buren Township, to the late Floyd and Opal Knebel and remained in the Star City area for most of his life. He married Ethel J. Hultgren of Portland, Oregon on April 21, 1945. She preceded him in death.

Survivors include:
Donald E. (Jennifer) Knebel, Zionsville, Son
Linda (Robert) Pruden, St. Paul, MN, Daughter
Thomas L. (Holly Field) Knebel, Fort Collins, CO, Son
Joseph E. Knebel, Duluth, GA, Son
14 Grandchildren
12 Great Grandchildren
William (Marie) Knebel, Brother
Harold Knebel, Brother
Virginia Knebel, Sister-in-law

Preceded in death by:
Carol E. (Kenneth) Preiser, Daughter
Darl Knebel, Brother
James (Marge) Knebel, Brother

During the Great Depression, Mr. Knebel was forced to quit high school to help on the family farm.  He proudly earned an honorary diploma in time for the 50th Anniversary of the Star City High School graduating class of 1939. Within days of the attack on Pearl Harbor, he entered the U.S. Navy and served in the 1st Seabee Battalion in the South Pacific for the next four years. During the war, he met the woman he would share his life with for the next 66 years. They farmed for a few years and then moved in to the house he built in Star City. He retired from farming and spent the next several years raising five children in that home while building close to 40 other houses in the surrounding areas as a building contractor. In 1967, they bought the grocery store in Star City and operated it as Knebel Grocery for the next 20 years. Mr. Knebel was noted for his quality meats, his willingness to chat with customers, and especially for his ham salad.

Mr. Knebel was active in the Star City United Methodist Church, was Van Buren Township Trustee for 19 years, and was active in numerous Star City and Pulaski County organizations. In the 1950s and 1960s, he invested his spare time assisting with his children’s activities. He served as a Cub Scout Master, Little League coach, Sunday school teacher, and 4-H Leader.  In his later years, that energy was devoted to joining various service organizations and serving on Pulaski County boards. He served on the Welfare Board, Pulaski County Human Services Board, Recycle Committee, Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission, Lion’s Club, and the American Legion. In 1988, he was named Pulaski County Senior Citizen of the Year. His life was dedicated to serving God, country, and family. He will be missed.

Friends may call at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 11; and one hour prior to services at the church Friday. A Lion’s Club service will be held at 6:30 p.., Thursday at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 13, at the Star City United Methodist Church, Star City, with Pastor Ruth Waite officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p..m., Friday at Victor Chapel Cemetery, Star City. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services. 

Memorial donations may be given to the Star City United Methodist Church or Star City Lion’s Club, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online Condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com