Kenneth Eugene “Gene” Knodle, 85, of Fillmore, died on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehab Center in Taylor Springs, surrounded by family. The cause of his death was Parkinson’s Disease.
Visitation for Mr. Knodle will be held Sunday, June 30, at the St. Louis Catholic Church, located at 509 E. Union in Nokomis, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Monday, July 1, at 10 a.m. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Stiehl Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis is assisting the family.
Mr. Knodle was born Nov. 18, 1938, in Hillsboro Hospital. His parents were the late Kenneth and Genevieve Kroeger Knodle of Fillmore. He graduated from Olive Branch School, Nokomis High School and attended SIU in Carbondale. Mr. Knodle served in the Illinois Army National Guard for six years. He married Joyce Kuhn on Nov. 27,1965. He enjoyed his life as a grain and livestock farmer.
Mr. Knodle was involved in county government and community activities. He served on the Montgomery County Board, was chairman of the Finance Committee and chairman of the Public Building Commission. He also served as chairman of the Security National Bank Board for nine years and later became a member of the First Community Bank Board. He served as Montgomery County Farm Service President and was a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee for six years. Mr. Knodle also served on the Montgomery County Farm Service Board and was chairman for two years.
He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Nokomis and served as Parish Council chairman two years and was grand knight of the Nokomis Knights of Columbus Council for two years.
In the 1960s, he was leader of the Fillmore Friendship 4-H Club for several years and later he and his wife, Joyce, were leaders of the Starr Shooters 4-H Club.
His favorite sayings were: “keep the wheels turning” or “keep pressing forward.” Mr. Knodle’s hobbies were flying his Cherokee 140, traveling and spending time with his family.
Mr. Knodle is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce; sons, Jeff (wife, Tammy), Brian (wife, Heather), Kent (wife, Nikki) and Steve (wife, Erin); grandchildren Kaitlyn, Samantha, Kaleb, Kendall, Alden, Bond, Fallon, Carter, Grant, McKenzie, Claire and Max Knodle; sister, Donna Chausse and brother-in-law, Joe; sisters-in-law Jeanie Landon, Karen and husband, Dave Koons and Kellie Kuhn; brothers-in-law, Kenny Kuhn and wife, Rhonda, Randy Kuhn and wife, Mary and Robert L. Kuhn.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Louis School, 509 East Union Street, Nokomis, IL 62075 or Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. Condolences may be left online at www.stiehldawsonfh.com
