Benjamin Knapp

Benjamin Franklin Knapp, Jr., 86, of Oakley, died Thursday, January 3, 2013, at Lincoln Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 7, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, with visitation one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Decatur. Memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America. Ben was born December 7, 1926, in Decatur, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Bertha (Russell) Knapp. He married Lucille Severe in Decatur in 1951. Ben retired from the Decatur Park District in 1987 after "44 years, 7 months, and 21 days" of service. He was an active member of the Illinois Tomahawk Throwers Association for over 30 years. He formerly attended Cleveland United Methodist Church, Oakley United Methodist Church, and most recently Cerro Gordo United Methodist Church. Ben is survived by his wife Lucille of Oakley; children Monty (Kendra) Knapp, Curt Toby (Lori) Knapp, Christine (Brett) Burnett, all of Decatur; grandchildren Justin, Ryan, Katie, Stephanie, Casey, Amber, and Stacey; great grandchildren Adrienne and Kierstin; sister Aileen Tipsword of Decatur. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Della Sickles, brother Fred Knapp, sisters Mary Jane Greene and Francis Beneze. "
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