Raymond Frank Knapp

Raymond Frank Knapp, age 84, of rural Mt. Carroll died at home Wednesday, September 7, 2011.Visitation will be held 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home Mt. Carroll. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2011 at the funeral home with Reverend James Brown officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll.
Raymond was born February 11, 1927 the son of Frank Wallace and Frieda Barbara (Helmich) Knapp in Derinda Center, Illinois. He joined the United States Navy during World War II. On May 1, 1955, Raymond married Frances Bork in the Massbach Lutheran Church. He worked at the Savanna Army Depot; spent time working construction for different contractors; worked for J.I. Case Company in Rockford, Illinois, hauled milk for the Chadwick Cheese Factory and worked in their Whey Department. Raymond also worked twenty years for Centel Telephone Company as a Lineman. Raymond's true passion was farming. Raymond was a former member of the Mt. Carroll American Legion Post.Family meant everything to Raymond, whether fishing with grandchildren or great grandchildren, teaching them different things or just enjoying their company. He loved taking care of his rabbits, his dogs, fishing, watching tractor pulls or demo derbies. Another great past-time was watching boats onthe Mississippi River.Raymond will be dearly missed by his wife of 56 years, Frances; a daughter, Sandy Allen (Keith Brinkmeier), grandchildren, Diane (Brian) Randecker of Stockton, Marty Knapp of Savanna and Amber Knapp of Tacoma, Washington, Matthew and Ashley Knapp of Peru, Illinois; great grandchildren Courtney, Brittany, Alyssa, Jon Randecker and Tessa Knapp. Raymond was preceded in death by both parents and his son, Marty.