Kenneth Eugene Knodle

Kenneth Eugene "Gene" Knodle, 85, died on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehab Center, Taylor Springs, Illinois surrounded by family.  The cause of his death was Parkinson’s Disease.  Gene was born November 18, 1938, in Hillsboro Hospital.  His parents were Kenneth and Genevieve Kroeger Knodle of Fillmore, they preceded him in death.  He graduated from Olive Branch School, Nokomis High School and attended SIU in Carbondale.  Gene served in the Illinois Army National Guard for six years.  He married Joyce Kuhn on November 27,1965.  He enjoyed his life as a grain and livestock farmer.

Visitation for Gene will be held Sunday, June 30, 2024 at the St. Louis Catholic Church, 509 E. Union, Nokomis from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.  A Funeral Mass will be Monday, July 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM.  A private family burial will be held at a later date.  Stiehl Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis is assisting the family.

Gene 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 1960’s 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. 

He is survived by his wife, Joyce of 58 years and sons, Jeff (wife, Tammy), Brian (wife, Heather), Kent (wife, Nikki) and Steve (wife, Erin).  His grandchildren are Kaitlyn, Samantha, Kaleb, Kendall, Alden, Bond, Fallon, Carter, Grant, McKenzie, Claire and Max Knodle.  Also, surviving is Mr. Knodle’s 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.

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