Tuesday, August 13th, 2013
Harold and Ruth Knapke
Harold J. "Doc" Knapke, 91, and his wife, Ruth L. Knapke, 89, Russia, and formerly of Fort Recovery, both passed away Aug. 11, 2013, at Versailles Health Care Center. They shared a room and passed away approximately 10 hours from each other.
He was born Jan. 5, 1922, in Coldwater, to Bernard Knapke and Sophia Hartings.
She was born Dec. 17, 1923, in St. Henry, to Edward Schmitz and Elizabeth Romer.
They were married Aug. 20, 1947, at St. Henry. They will celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary together in heaven on Aug. 20.
Surviving are sons, Ted (Deborah) Knapke of Columbus and Tim (Judy) Knapke of Portland, Ind.; daughters, Ginny (Tom) Reindl of Wellsboro, Pa., Margaret Knapke of Dayton, Carol (Gary) Romie of Centerville and Pat (Rick) Simon of Russia; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Lucille Knapke of Fort Recovery.
Deceased are their infant son, Jeffrey; Harold's brothers, Edward, Romie, Clarence, William, and Sylvester; and sisters, Alma Lamm and Helen Gels. Also deceased are Ruth's brother, Gerald Schmitz, and sister, Edna Blythe.
He was a 1940 graduate of Fort Recovery High School and received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Dayton and a master's degree from Ball State University. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, in the European Theatre. He was a teacher, principal, coach and athletic director at Fort Recovery Schools over a 25-year period. He was also a teacher at East Jay Jr. High School in Portland, Ind., for 15 years and a former co-owner of Miracle Lanes Bowling Alley, Fort Recovery. He was inducted into the Fort Recovery Athletic Hall of Fame and the Fort Recovery Alumni Hall of Fame.
She was a graduate of St. Henry High School and a secretary at the former West Elementary School in Fort Recovery. They were members of St. Remy Catholic Church in Russia and former members of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Fort Recovery.
Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Fort Recovery, the Rev. Thomas Dorn celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Marys Cemetery in Fort Recovery. Military graveside honors for Harold will be conducted by the American Legion of Fort Recovery.
Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at Brockman-Boeckman Funeral Home in Fort Recovery.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, contributions may be given to Wilson Hospice or the Harold and Ruth Knapke Scholarship Fund.
Condolences may be left at www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.
