Peter Knisch

Peter attended Rock Hill Jr. High School, East St. Louis, Ill., and married his loving wife, Thelma, whom he married on July 25, 1942, in Clayton, Mo., they would have been married for 70 years.

He retired after many years from Switzer Inc., East St. Louis, Ill., and after retirement worked part-time as a maintenance worker at St. Clair Square, Fairview Heights, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Knisek and Helen, nee Kacer, Knisch, and a son-in-law, James Rucker.

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

God's Garden of Eden

God looked around his garden and found an empty place.

He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.

God's Garden must be a beautiful place.

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering.

He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb.

He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, "Peace be Thine."

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone.

For part of us went with you today, GOD called you home.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Tim and Bonnie for their care.

Memorials may be made to the Belleville Humane Society, Belleville, Ill. Condolences may be offered at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at Lake View Funeral Home with Pastor Sam Hand officiating. Interment will be held in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.

LAKE VIEW FUNERAL HOME, Fairview Heights, Ill.