Leonard Knabel

Visitation: 5:00 PM on July 05, 2011 Funeral: 10:00 AM on July 06, 2011 Leonard Knabel, 85 of Decatur, passed away on Thursday, June 30th at his residence. Visitation will be 5 to 7 P.M., Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, 2827 N. Oakland Avenue, Decatur. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 6 at Temple Baptist Church, 1818 E. Mound Road, Decatur, with Rev. James Bosler officiating. Graveside services and burial will be 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 6 at Cedar Ridge Cemetery, Honey Bend, IL. In lieu of flowers the family encourages memorials to be given to the Illinois Chapter of Campers on Mission or the Carmi Baptist Children's Home. Leonard was born October 20, 1925 near Grantfork, IL, the son of Leo and Nellie Knabel. He married Mary Ann Fraser on June 15, 1968. Leonard served in the U.S. Army during WW II and the Korean conflict. He retired in 1987 from Millikin University where he was a supervisor in the Maintenance Department. He was a charter member and helped initiate the Illinois Chapter of the Southern Baptist Convention's Campers on Mission Program, serving as President for many years. Leonard and his wife Mary Ann were instrumental in the formation of the Christmas Tree Road Baptist Church. Prior to his illness he served on the Church Board at Temple Baptist in Decatur. Leonard is survived by his wife Mary Ann of 43 years, daughter Nancy Ray and husband Gene of Decatur; son Bob and wife Linda of Collinsville, IL; four grandchildren, Todd Ray (Kristina), Taylorville; Tami Yeakley (Chad), Decatur; Nikki Potter (Rob), Galesburg; Brett Knabel (Tracy), Trevor, WI; and 13 great grandchildren. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 6 sisters. "
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