Kevin Lee Kniss

Kevin Lee Kniss, age 64 and a lifelong resident of Lanark, Illinois, passed away Monday, December 14, 2020, unexpectedly of natural causes at MercyOne Medical Center, Clinton, Iowa. A private family funeral service will be held Friday, December 18, 2020, at the Lanark Church of the Brethren with burial in the Lanark Cemetery. A public visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll. Social distancing and face masks will be required.

Kevin was born August 7, 1956 in Freeport, the son of Keith and Roma (Sturtevant) Kniss. He is a 1974 graduate of Lanark High School, where he played football and wrestled, and a 1976 graduate of Highland Community College. Throughout high school, he worked as a farm-hand for several area farmers. After graduating, he farmed his grandfather’s land and worked for Handel Implement in Chadwick from 1978-1980. On November 25, 1978, Kevin married Nancy Lynne Byers at the Lanark Church of the Brethren. They celebrated 42 years of marriage and raised three daughters.

Kevin was a self-employed truck driver most of his life, operating Kniss Trucking since 1980. He served local farmers for 40 years and worked closely with Eastland Feed and Grain in Shannon. He enjoyed chatting with his customers and other truckers. His family knew he was dedicated and had a strong work ethic, providing them with a great example. Kevin loved when they were all together.

Kevin was a member of the Lanark Church of the Brethren and the Midwest Truckers Association. He loved air shows, tractor pulls, antique tractors (International Harvester), watching car auctions and car repair shows on TV, and attending trucking conventions.

Kevin will be dearly missed by his wife, Nancy of Lanark; his three daughters, Katie (Bret) Martin of Columbia, Illinois; Kirsten Kniss of Freeport, Illinois; and Karoline Kniss of Willowbrook, Illinois; parents, Keith and Roma Kniss of Lanark; granddaughters Gabrielle Martin and Eve Martin of Columbia; brother, Kraig (Tami) Kniss of Warrenville, Illinois; sister, Amy Hamilton (Ward (Sam) Rouse) of Clive, Iowa; brother-in-law Phil (Linda) Byers of Shannon; and several nieces and nephews.

Kevin gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Lanark Church of the Brethren, 326 S. High Street, Lanark, IL 61046 and the American Heart Association https://www2.heart.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donatenow_heart&s_src=pmxsem19&gclid=CjwKCAiA_eb-BRB2EiwAGBnXXjhDw3tb-SYRY0iOWIAM-8Ew-5F_HUUO1XY6clWUswqCtD0eOEU3uxoCHZcQAvD_BwE