Thelma E. Baker Knisch

Mrs. Knisch loved flowers and all animals; she especially had a soft spot for dogs. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great and great-great grandmother, who will truly be missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 70 years, Peter Knisch; her father, Joseph Baker; her step-father and mother, Harvey and Myrtle, nee McFadden, Girard; and a son-in-law, James Rucker.

Surviving are her children, Marsha (Garry) Byrd, of Columbia, Illinois, Tim (Bonnie) Knisch, of Fairview Heights, Ill., Michael Knisch, of Columbia, Ill., and Joyce Rucker, of Belleville, Ill.; granddaughters, Candice Byrd, of Columbia, Ill., Crystal (Jeff) Wyrick, of Waterloo, Ill., Pam Rucker, of St. Louis, Missouri, Deborah, nee Rucker, Luehder, of Belleville, Ill., and Patty (Alan) Etherton, of Borden, Ind.; her eight great grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

A million times we need you, a million times we cried. If love could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place no one will ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone, part of us went with you the day God called you home.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Tim, for his commitment to caring for his mother.

Memorials are appreciated the Belleville Humane Society. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Funeral: Services will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, August 22, 2013, at the funeral home with Rev. Garvin Fisher officiating. Interment will follow in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.