John Matthew Knadler III, of Huntsville, AL, a long-time member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, passed on to be with our heavenly Father on Wednesday, September 26. He was born in Louisville, KY, on June 9, 1931 to the late John Matthew Knadler Jr. and Lucy Lee Johnson Knadler. He was preceded in death by his wife, Juliann Cook Knadler. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Knadler Wahking (Harold); his son, John Matthew Knadler IV and daughters, Karen Knadler Junkin (Bobby) and Leeanne Knadler Brown (Aaron); grandchildren, Emily Kaye Junkin, Levi Christopher Brown, Julianna Katherine Brown and nieces and nephews.
He graduated from DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, KY and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisville in 1954. Mr. Knadler was active in the Air Force ROTC at the University and served in the United States Air Force in Traverse City, Michigan from 1954 to 1956. He moved to Huntsville, AL in 1958 working for Chrysler Corporation and married Juliann Sue Cook from Speed, Indiana on December 26, 1958. In 1961, he began work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). There he provided 28 years of extraordinary support as Chief of the Non-Destructive Test Branch for the Saturn and space shuttle programs. Of his many commendations, he received a commendation for initiating the NASA/Redstone Arsenal bus tours provided by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. After his retirement in 1989, he enjoyed traveling and participating in Church and family activities. He was active in numerous service projects including Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, a mission trip to Belize, and many handyman projects in and around the Church and neighborhood. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
You may visit with the family on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 11am until 1pm at Valhalla Funeral Home. Funeral Services, officiated by Rev. David Kling will begin at 1:00pm at Valhalla Funeral Home's Chapel. Entombment will immediately follow in Valhalla Memory Gardens, Building D Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Downtown Rescue Mission, 1400 Evangel Drive, Huntsville, AL 35816 www.downtownrescuemission.org or Second Mile Development, 2710 Holmes Ave, Huntsville, AL 35816 www.secondmile.net. Please leave fond memories and condolences for the Knadler family at www.valhallafunerals.com.
