Al L. Knapp: 1939 – 2010
Al L. Knapp, 71, well-known Churubusco businessman and a resident of rural Columbia City, passed away unexpectedly at 4:17 a. m. on Monday, August 2, 2010, at the family residence in Smith Township from the results of an apparent heart attack.
Mr. Knapp was born in Bryan, Ohio on June 3, 1939, a son of Alva and Leila (Ginter) Knapp, and as a youth moved with his family to New Haven.
On August 30, 1958 he was married in Bryan, Ohio to Carol Sue Joseph. The couple lived in Bryan, Ohio for a period before moving to Churubusco in 1961. They had lived at their current home in rural Smith Township since 1967.
Mr. Knapp operated Al’s Barber Shop in Churubusco for 12 years, and was well-known as the owner and operator of Al’s 33 Club in Churubusco for 33 years, retiring in 2006. In addition to his work, he enjoyed raising horses and horse racing.
The surviving relatives include his wife Carol, to whom he was married for nearly 52 years; his children Lori (Stan) Cremeens, Brad (Koreen) Knapp, and Jennifer (Harry) Jordan, all of Churubusco, and Sue (Todd) Tonkel of Fort Wayne; and two sisters Carlyne (Dan) Krauter of New Haven and Delila (Larry) Woodruff of Greenfield. There are eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a. m. on Thursday, August 5, 2010, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Alan Meneely, minister of Southwest Church of Christ, officiating.
The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p. m.
For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Riley Hospital For Children, 702 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46202
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To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Knapp’s memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:55 am
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Al (Butch). I’m Ros’ Aunt Sal & knew “Butch” since we were very young. I pray for the Lord to minister & bless all of the members of his family. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:02 am
To the entire Knapp Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Al was a wonderful person who always had a smile and hello, at the Club, and anywhere else that you would see him. Please know that you are all in our thoughts at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Brian, Lori, Bethany, and Cody Parish
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:59 am
Mike and I are thinking of you and will keep you and your family in our prayers.
August 3rd, 2010 at 9:48 am
To Carol and all of the Knapp Family – All of us at Sheets & Childs share our heartfelt condolences to all of you. Please know that we will be here to walk with you through this time now and in the days ahead. May the peace that comes from God alone be felt in your hearts.
Greg, Jeanine, and Staff
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:41 am
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Knapp Family. Many of my best childhood memories are centered around Carol & Butch and your entire family. Those times will never be forgotten. Although we may have not seen each other much over the years you and Butch have always held a very special place in my heart. He will be missed greatly! You are in our prayers.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 am
Carol and family – Don and I are sorry to hear of your loss. The Lord will walk with you and your family and keep you by his side as you mourn the loss of your loved one. Peace be with you and your family. We are thinking of you.
Don and Nonda Crocker
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:26 pm
We are so sorry to hear of Al passing, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.We will always remember his smile and his jokes he had when we would come into the 33 club. Steve and Paula
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Carol, Lori, Brad, Jenny, Sue and families,
Please accept my sincere condolences and sympathy in the passing of Butch. I will always remember all the fun parties we had on your farm. The one when Butch threw my Dad in the pool clothes and all, sticks in my mind =)
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Kim Meek
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Carol….we were so shocked to see the news tonight.
Please know that you and the family are in our prayers. We wish we could be with you Thursday but it isn’t possible to travel that far right now. Mel will certainly miss his visits and reminiscing with Butch. They shared a lot of fun times growing up together…
August 3rd, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Dear Carol and Family, please accept our sincerest sympathy at Al’s passing. In the not too distant past, Al would greet us warmly, and always had a unique spin on life that will be missed. We are here to help, in any way that we can, during this difficult time, and please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Paul & Chris Scharlacken
August 4th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Lori and family,
Im so sorry to hear about the passing of your father, and husband. I just pray that the Lord bless you and comfort you in this time of need. Always remember that the Lord is walking right beside you and is always there for you to lean on, now and for the days to come. God bless you!! Lori, I love you sweetie!! And I am praying for all of you!!
Tammy Bauer
August 4th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Carol,Brad,Koreen and family,
I am so sorry for your loss of your husband and father. Please know we are thinking of you and will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.If there is anything we can do, please know we are here to help during the days ahead. Al was a wonderful and loving person and always made you laugh. He will be missed.
May God bless and comfort you.
Mike&Debbie& family
August 4th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Carol, Brad, Koreen and Family,
My heart aches for you with your loss. Al touched the lives of many people and will forever live on in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nancy (Schmidt) Ritchie
August 4th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Dear Carol,
Sympathies are extended to you at the loss of your husband. Our prayers for comfort in this difficult time are with you and your family.
Margaret and Keith DeMeritt
August 4th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Know you have our deepest sympathy and we have you in our prayers. We never know our strength until we have to be strong. As you walk through memory lane right now, remember and share all you can with each other and know Butch is there with you…
August 4th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Carol, I’m one of the many cousins of Butch’s. I live in Grand Rapids Ohio, always near the Bryan area. Butch and I have always had a friendship between us, and he’s going to be missed. I will keep you and the family in my prayers. Give Carylne and Delila my love also.
We just buried my oldest sister,Joyce (Krill) Shaffer.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
DEAR CAROL,LORI,BRAD JENNY,AND SUE.MARY,AND I SEND OUR LOVE.AL WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF OUR MEMORIES.THE FARM,THE HORSES,THE 33 CLUB! HE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT ALL OF YOU WHENEVER WE SEEN HIM,OR TALKED TO HIM ON THE PHONE.I KNOW YOU WILL MISS HIM,AND SO WILL WE. KELLY & MARY MARTIN
August 4th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I think Al was the first one to ever cut my hair. I remember in high school I went with my friend, Mark, his dad and Al to a horse race (I don’t remember where it was) we had a great time. I used to run around with Sue and her friends in high school and when I was 20 years old I went into the bar and Al asked me if I turned 21 and I said yes so he gave me a beer and about a week later he talked to my mom and she informed him that I was not 21 yet. He was a great guy and always made me feel welcome. Thoughts and prayers, Lyle Felger & Family
August 4th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of Al Knapp. From the time my father, my brother and myself met him at the barber shop he has been a great friend for 47 years. He was a great guy.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Dear Carol,
I always meant to renew my friendship with the guy I considered to be my best friend and school buddy. I have a lot of fond memories of Butch and still considered him one of the coolest people I ever met.
August 5th, 2010 at 3:46 am
Carol,and the rest of extended Knapp family, my deepest sympathy goes to you and yours in this time of trial and tribulation. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours. Love Mary
August 5th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Carol, Sue, and the whole Family, Just to let you know my heart and prayers are with you today and always. God be with you. sincerely Ginger
August 5th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Brad and family, my prayers and thoughts with you all. I am sorry I didn’t make it to funeral home. I have prayer cards I would like to give you. I will drop them off or mail them to funeral home. Take care, Lynne
August 7th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Carol & Family: Dan and I are thinking of you and know that the strength of your family will see you through this difficult time. Sorry we could not be there to share your grief but know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
August 8th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Brad, Jen, Sue, Lori, Carol and family,
I was shocked to hear of Al’s untimely passing. I remember he always had jokes to share when he came into the Busco bank to make his deposits. I am sure the wonderful memories you all have will help you through this difficult time. I will keep you in my heart and prayers.
August 8th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
To Carol and the Knapp family,
We are so sorry to hear that Butch passed away and are sending you our hugs, love and sympathy.
We had tons of fun growing up around Bryan and hanging out with Butch. I always remember the first time we went hunting together in about 1955, Mel, Butch and myself. I had the single shot 410 and Butch carried a big 12 gauge pump. He shot all the game, I got nothing. After the hunt I said Butch ” I sure would like to have a gun like that some day, and he said here you can have it for $16.00.” I didn’t have the $16.00, but he insisted I take it and pay him when I could, which took a few months. What a generous cousin. Butch was admired by everyone.
Carol, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
August 8th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Carol & family, Kindly accept our condolences to you & your family. It was (just) May 2009 that we saw “Butch” at my brother’s (Richard D. Miller)funeral at the Schifler Cemetary outside of Pulaski, OH. “Butch” was always so thoughtful in staying in contact with us & he & Rich talked a lot on the phone.
I know you & your family have many wonderful memories that will bring you comfort at this time of sorrow.
Prayers & Hugs,
Diana & Doug Kehler & familys
August 10th, 2010 at 12:49 am
Jenny & Knapp family,
Sorry to hear of your Dad’s sudden passing. I remember seeing your Dad at the apartment & the 33 Club, always with a ‘hello’ & smile. Our thoughts & prayers are with you in this difficult time of loss.
Dennis & Jeannine Gering
September 30th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
While on this website looking at a friend who had passed – I came across this obituary and was deeply saddened to see Al had passed away. Al cut my hair when I was 10 years old. I wired his barn/house and lots of other things for Al. I always looked up to him for his drive in life and his love to have fun.
Lori, Brad, Jen & rest of family, you have my deepest condolences. I’ll always remember Al and his smile – may God bless and keep you all.