Fred Allen Knipling, 85, of Port Lavaca, passed away on July 22, 2019. Fred was born in Port Lavaca to Fred H. and Esther Wehmeyer Knipling on March 25, 1934. He married Irene Ann Konrad on June 27, 1959 in Port Lavaca. He worked as a banker for over 40 years. Fred went to work for First State Bank and Trust Company in 1958, working there for 36 years, and then went to work for First National Bank in 1994 until retirement in 1998, where he continued on as a member of the Board of Directors until 2017. He proudly served in the US Army for 2 years stationed in Germany and after being discharged continued to serve in the Army Reserves for 6 years. He was a dedicated, lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church. He believed strongly in giving back to the community and was very involved in many community services and organizations. Among the many awards and recognitions he received over the years, he was most proud of receiving the VFW Post 4403 "Citizen of the Year" Award twice; the Chamber of Commerce "Man of the Year" Award; the Chamber of Commerce "One of the 25 Most Influential People in Calhoun County for the Past 100 Years"; and the United Way "Fred Knipling Spirit of Caring" Award, which was created and named in his honor in 2012. Fred was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt, and was a country boy at heart who enjoyed farming and raising cattle.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents; Irene, his wife of 46 years; and his brother, Charles Henry.
He is survived by his daughter, Kristel Knipling of Port Lavaca; and his brother, Samuel Knipling of Portland, Oregon.
Visitation will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Friday, July 26, 2019, at Salem Lutheran Church with Pastor Sharon Wiggins officiating. Burial will follow at the Port Lavaca Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bill Sturm, David Hahn, David Roberts, Joe Machicek, Eugene Hall, and Bert Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Loessin, Lori Paul, Doris Mills, Bobby Hahn, Bobby Meeks, and the Directors of First National Bank.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Salem Lutheran Church for Clothing God's Children or Repair Fund.
