Obit of John W. "Bill" Knittles

John W. "Bill" Knittles

Wednesday, May 01, 1929 - Tuesday, November 19, 2013

John William “Bill” Knittles, 84, of Chatsworth passed away at 4:42 pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac.

Funeral services for Bill will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 22, 2013 at Calvert & Martin

Funeral Home in Chatsworth with Rev. Ivy Silas officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. According to the wishes of the family, cremation rites will follow services. Private family burial will be at a later date at Chatsworth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Piper City Rehab and Living Center.

Bill was born May 1, 1929 in Chatsworth, a son of George and Reva (Wells) Knittles. He married Etta Steinman on November 21, 1952. She passed away on October 3, 1984. He later married Florence Hoekstra on September 11, 1996. She passed away on February 7, 2013.

He is survived by his two daughters: Lisa Knittles of Piper City and Julie Burkhalter of Chatsworth; two sisters: Norma Boyce of Lexington and Jeanne (Earl) Dieken of Hazelhourst, WI; and his beloved dog: Sammy. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; brother-in-law: Johnny Boyce; son-in-law: Jeff Burkhalter; and his beloved dog: Bandit.

Bill was educated in the Chatsworth Schools. He owned and operated K & K Woodworking for a number of years and worked at Homeshield for over twenty-five years.

He enjoyed woodworking, making flyable model airplanes, and helping Julie package Christmas candy. He was a die-hard Cubs fan. After retirement, Bill liked to go to K & H in Gilman and reminisce with other retired employees of Homeshield. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Chatsworth.

Bill loved his family. He had a special place in his heart for his dogs. Bill was a caring man who will be greatly missed.