Luke B. Knapke, 90, Minster, died at 11:50 p.m. March 16, 2010, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.

He was born May 29, 1919, in Minster, to Anthony H. and Anna Elizabeth Hemmelgarn Knapke. On Aug. 18, 1949, he married Mary H. Cull, who survives.

Also surviving are nine children, Ann (Wendell) Fletcher, Pittsboro, N.C., Tony (Deb) Knapke, John (Janet) Knapke and Paul (JoAnn) Knapke, all of Columbus, Ted (Trish) Knapke, Mason, Melanie (Doug) Taylor, and Gene (Norma) Knapke, all of New Bremen, Kathy (Jim) Keiser, Minster, and Susan (Dan) Paulus, Bowling Green; a brother, Tom (Dorothy) Knapke, Glandorf; three sisters, Beata Muhlenkamp, St. Henry, Ann (Lell)) Hickey, Dayton, and Betty Goetz, Pasadena, Calif.; 24 grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a son-in-law, Steven Kemper; two brothers, the Rev. Paul Knapke and Anthony Knapke; four sisters, Prisca Liskowiak, Joan Knapke, Marie Smith and Lorena Knapke: and a grandchild.

He attended four years at Brunnerdale Seminary. He also attended a year of college at St. Joseph's College in Renssalaer, Ind., and Ohio Northern University, where he received his teaching certificate. In 1938, he began teaching at the former Chickasaw Elementary, where he also played the organ for the local church. He then taught at St. Henry. He was in the Army, serving in World War II in North Africa and Italy as captain in the Armored Force and Psychological Warfare. He served as an organist and choir director at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Minster until he retired in 1981, and taught vocal and instrumental music at Minster High School after receiving a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Dayton in 1946, and a bachelor's of music degree in 1951. He also was a vocal music teacher at Port Clinton before returning to Minster to teach English and seventh and eighth grade science before retiring in July 1974 after 26 years. He was a member of the Barbershop Quartet and the Quadranters for 20 years. He was also elected as Minster Historical Society trustee in 1976, where he served for 34 years. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Holy Name Society and the Ohio Retired Teachers Association.

Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Minster, the Rev. Rick Nieberding officiating. Burial with full military honors by Minster firing squad will be at the church cemetery.

Calling is 1-7 p.m. Sunday and 9-9:30 a.m. Monday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Memorials can be made to the Minster Area Life Squad and Minster Historical Society.