Kenneth Edward Knapp's Obituary
Big Rapids - Kenneth Edward Knapp, 77, of Norwich Township, passed unexpectedly away Friday, October 16, 2015. He was born December 22, 1937 in Paris, the oldest child of Ernest and Margaret (Besson) Knapp, and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1956. On June 15, 1957, he married Donna Boerma, and they lived in Paris until moving to Norwich Townhsip in 1971. Ken served for 4 years in the Army National Guard. A lifelong farmer, he also worked in construction, having built their homes in Paris and Norwich Township. Ken also was in the logging and pallet business, and had been a truck driver. He has served as the Norwich Township Supervisor since 2002, and had formerly been the township Zoning Administrator. Ken was a charter member of the White Cloud Aerie Eagles #4170, started in 1987. He served as the second president, and held an Aerie office every year as he went through the chairs in District #7. He served as State President in 2002-2003, and helped his favorite charity, the American Heart Association, to raise over $100,000. He then served as State Secretary from 2004-2013, and as the East Central Regional President in 2009-2010. Ken is survived by his wife Donna; their four children, Carole (Edward) Peacock, Nancy (Kurt) Ensing, Ron (Connie Knapp, and Roger (Karen Dennis) Knapp; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Delores (Gary) Murphy, and Sharon Samuels; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Misty, great-grandson Tommy, and brothers Larry and Ralph. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at the Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, 407 Perry Avenue in Big Rapids, with Pastor Ken Krause officiating. Burial will follow in the Hungerford Cemetery in Norwich Township. Ken's family will greet friends on Tuesday, October 20, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and at the church prior to services on Wednesday. Memorial contributions in his name may be made for the American Heart Association, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
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