John Knoepfle

John was born on February 4, 1923, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Rudolph and Catherine Knoepfle. He married Peggy Sower on December 26, 1956, at Christ the King Church in Cincinnati, OH.

In his younger years, John was an Eagle Scout, he boxed, played offensive tackle and coached football. He also had a passion for archeology. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and his Ph.D. from St. Louis University. During WWII, John served his country in the U.S. Navy obtaining the rank of Lieutenant J.G. on the U.S.S. Deuel. As a naval officer in the Pacific Theater, he transported troops and supplies to the shores of Iwo Jima. During the conflict, he was wounded and subsequently received the Purple Heart. After WWII, he became employed as a director in educational TV stations in Cincinnati and Notre Dame, Indiana. He began his career as an English teacher at Ohio State University and later taught at Southern Illinois University, East St. Louis Residence Center. He also taught at Maryville College in St. Louis and at St. Louis University. In 1972, he became a Professor of English Literature at Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois, where he was employed until he retired in 1991. Poetry was his passion and he published 27 books of poetry throughout his lifetime. He received numerous awards including “Illinois Writer of the Year,” the “Mark Twain Award for Poetry,” and the “Rockefeller Foundation Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.” At the age of 95, he concluded a 40-year project with Chinese Scholar and poet, Wang Shouyi, translating to English selected classical poems from China’s five dynasties. Up until the day he died he was continuing his work on a book of reminisces of Ohio and Mississippi River Boatmen, whom he interviewed many years earlier. While residing at Hickory Glen with his many friends, he played harmonica in a dulcimer band. Throughout his blessed life, he was a devoted Catholic and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and most recently St. Agnes Catholic Church. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. May he rest in peace with the angels and the saints.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, James Girard Knoepfle; brothers, Fr. Rudolph S.J., Neal, and William Knoepfle; sister-in-law, Edith Knoepfle; and two nephews, Stephen Knoepfle and James Sower.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Knoepfle of Springfield; children, John M. Knoepfle of St. Paul, Minnesota, Molly C. (husband, Rodney) Evans of Anchorage, Alaska, David E. (wife, Robin) Knoepfle of Springfield, and Chris B. Knoepfle of Jerome, IL; grandchildren, Emily, Molly, Hannah, and Austin; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield with Rev. Daniel J. Bergbower, celebrant.

Private family graveside ceremony will be held at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Dept. of Disabled American Veterans, 3740 W. Wabash Ave., Springfield, IL 62704 or the Illinois State Museum Society, 502 S. Spring St., Springfield, IL 62706-5000.

The family of John Knoepfle is being served by Butler Funeral Home—Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.