1931
Clayton
2016
Clayton Monroe Knepp
July 1, 1931 — September 9, 2016
Clayton Monroe Knepp, 85, of Garden City MO, lived a full life on this earth and then departed on September 9th, at his home.
Clayton was born during the Great Depression, July 1st, 1931, son of John Roy Knepp and Mary Ann (Rhodes) in Johnson County Iowa. He grew up in the Sharon Center community, north of Kalona. He attended Willow Grove country school where he graduated from the 8th grade. He spent his childhood on the farm doing man sized chores. He gave his heart to the Lord at a young age while attending East Unioin Mennonite Church at Kalona, IA. Leaving home at the age 16 and he worked on several farms and even in the tungsten mines of Colorado. He was drafted into the US Army and served in the Korean War. After the war he found work including, running bulldozer and the plaster trade. It was at this time that he met and then married Elaine Birky, July 10, 1955. They made their first home in Kalona IA. where Clayton Jr was born. The GI Bill benefits made it possible for him to attend the US Trade School in Kansas City, so they moved to Missouri. Two daughters were born there.
Clayton enjoyed several colorful jobs while going to school full time. He got on at the Chevrolet Plant where he finally had benefits and felt secure in caring financially for his family. Life took a new turn from city life to rural living for the couple. In 1959 he received a notice from the government that he was entitled to a loan for a home. They drew a 50 mile radius circle around Kansas City and found a Mennonite Church at Garden City. The last child was born in Harrisonville. Roots planted at last.
Clayton loved his Lord, family and the great outdoors! An avid hunter and fisherman, many memories were made around shared campfires. He retired from General Motors after 31 years and started his Precision Edges Sharpening business, which he found was the Love Job of his life. Clayton also loved music. He was the sound man for the Knepp Family Singers; a group made up of his wife, 2 daughters and a son-in-law. He never grew tired of listening to their hours of practice. Three months prior to his death, he began hearing angels singing praise choruses and old hymns. The sounds of Heaven.
Clayton is preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Darlene, 2 brothers Wallace and Edward.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elaine, of the home, Clayton Knepp Jr and wife Denise, of Archie, Vonnie Knepp Gattenby and Tom Walker, of Garden City, Karen Knepp Cook and husband Joe, of Urich and Calvin Knepp of the home, 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life Services were held Thursday, September 15, 2016 at the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church, Garden City, Missouri. Burial is in the Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.
The family will received friends Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri. Arrangements are under the care of Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri.
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Clayton was born during the Great Depression, July 1st, 1931, son of John Roy Knepp and Mary Ann (Rhodes) in Johnson County Iowa. He grew up in the Sharon Center community, north of Kalona. He attended Willow Grove country school where he graduated from the 8th grade. He spent his childhood on the farm doing man sized chores. He gave his heart to the Lord at a young age while attending East Unioin Mennonite Church at Kalona, IA. Leaving home at the age 16 and he worked on several farms and even in the tungsten mines of Colorado. He was drafted into the US Army and served in the Korean War. After the war he found work including, running bulldozer and the plaster trade. It was at this time that he met and then married Elaine Birky, July 10, 1955. They made their first home in Kalona IA. where Clayton Jr was born. The GI Bill benefits made it possible for him to attend the US Trade School in Kansas City, so they moved to Missouri. Two daughters were born there.
Clayton enjoyed several colorful jobs while going to school full time. He got on at the Chevrolet Plant where he finally had benefits and felt secure in caring financially for his family. Life took a new turn from city life to rural living for the couple. In 1959 he received a notice from the government that he was entitled to a loan for a home. They drew a 50 mile radius circle around Kansas City and found a Mennonite Church at Garden City. The last child was born in Harrisonville. Roots planted at last.
Clayton loved his Lord, family and the great outdoors! An avid hunter and fisherman, many memories were made around shared campfires. He retired from General Motors after 31 years and started his Precision Edges Sharpening business, which he found was the Love Job of his life. Clayton also loved music. He was the sound man for the Knepp Family Singers; a group made up of his wife, 2 daughters and a son-in-law. He never grew tired of listening to their hours of practice. Three months prior to his death, he began hearing angels singing praise choruses and old hymns. The sounds of Heaven.
Clayton is preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Darlene, 2 brothers Wallace and Edward.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elaine, of the home, Clayton Knepp Jr and wife Denise, of Archie, Vonnie Knepp Gattenby and Tom Walker, of Garden City, Karen Knepp Cook and husband Joe, of Urich and Calvin Knepp of the home, 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life Services were held Thursday, September 15, 2016 at the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church, Garden City, Missouri. Burial is in the Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.
The family will received friends Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri. Arrangements are under the care of Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri.
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