Lowell Wayne Knoop, 88, of Grace Village Retirement Community Health Care, went to be with his Lord and Savior Aug. 3, 2012.
He was born Sept. 6, 1923, in Claypool, to Samuel and Irma Bowen Knoop. On March 3, 1946, in Long Beach, Calif., he married Margaret “Peg” Jackson Kern, who passed away two years ago.
He graduated from Claypool High School in 1941 and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Purdue University. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant JG, including time in the Pacific on a mine sweeper. He and Peg were active in Lay Witness Missions for 12 years, were members of Bedford Church of God and most recently members of the Warsaw Church of God.
He and his wife lived in Warsaw from 1953-63, then resided in Lafayette and Bedford, before returning to Grace Village, Winona Lake, seven years ago. He taught a variety of courses at Cromwell, Warsaw and Lafayette Jeff high schools, including vocational ag, chemistry, and physics. He was awarded Indiana Physics Teacher of the Year in 1974. After building his own Swiss-style chalet in southern Indiana, he retired from teaching to enjoy all types of wood-working. He also spent many years working during the tax season for H&R Block.
Surviving are two sons, Gilbert “Gib” (and Janis Pritchard) Knoop, Claypool, and Richard (and Denise Cline) Knoop, Florissant, Mo.; two grandsons, Samuel (and Rachael Leiter) Knoop and Benjamin (and Lauren Ratz) Knoop; a granddaughter, Aimee Knoop (and spouse Jason) Crowe; six great-grandchildren, Jacob, Delaney and Amelia Knoop and Gabriella, Gracie and Galia Crowe; a brother, Cary Knoop, Charleston, Ill.; and a sister, Susanne Paulsen, Valparaiso. He also was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Paul Knoop, Mentone.
A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday at Grace Village Chapel, Winona Lake. A private burial was Monday at Graceland Cemetery, Claypool.
Calling will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday at Grace Village Chapel.
McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials may be made to Grace Village Nursing Scholarship Fund.
Condolences may be sent via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
