Love you Papa and miss you.  Thinking about you.

Dee and children- My thoughts and prayers for you all.  Ray was a good and kind man.  He kept me in line and taught me how to roll and survive for 31 yrs in claims business.  Last time I talked with Ray was 1992 when he called me to see if I was going to be called up for Desert Storm-how thoughtful of him to worry ablut me. Greg Quinones-Santa Fe, NM

Introduction of Papa’s Eulogy given by Jennifer Miles (Granddaughter)

It is said that if you want to know the measure of a man, you simply count his friends.  Look at all of the family and friends that have traveled such distances to show their respects to such a distinguished man.  Recognize that with the passing of Raymond “Papa” Knuffke an era came to an end.  An era when men wore suits every day, when men wore hats when they were outside and removed them when indoors, an era when men were clean shaven and hair was neatly cut.  When a man treated all with dignity and respect, including himself, a man did what he had to, to support and provide for his family all in quiet stoicism.  An era when the only currency a man put stock in was his “word.”  Yes, with the passing of this “oak” of a man passed an era.  

My father Daniel Barnes will be giving the Eulogy on behalf of our family.

Eulogy of Papa

I first want to say that I am truly honored and privileged to speak of Raymond Michael Knuffke.  I hope and pray that I may do him justice with the feeble words and vocabulary that I have.

Raymond Michael Knuffke, known affectionately by me as Papa, passed away Saturday, 6 March 2010 @ 0658 pm.   He left us and went to meet Jesus from his home, in his room, with his wife, Dolores, with all his 8 children and their spouses, his 31 grandchildren with whom 4 have spouses, and 4 great grandchildren with one on the way, whom were all keeping vigil and were praying the Rosary.   This is a testament to a man, who showed us how to die with dignity.  A spritual man and a man's man.   He was the lion and the lamb.  He was a provider, a husband, a father, a spiritual director, a brother to all, and a stranger to no one.  He wore a smile on his face that was soothing; it was a smile that told one to relax.  It put you at ease.  It told you that Papa was a man of peace, he was at peace with himself and all that was around him.  

I met Raymond Michael Knuffke 30 plus years ago when I began dating his daughter and who is now my wife, Jane.  He was a strong unassuming man.  At the moment I met the Knuffke family, I knew then that I wanted to be part of it.  I didn't just fall in love with Jane, but I fell in love with the whole family.  This was a family that truly had love in it.  The Knuffke family was led by a patriarch who's moral compass was sound steady and anchored in his deep love for God.  This man led his family not by words but by action and example.  

Even in his name Raymond Michael Knuffke there was a smidgen of a sign of God's favor.  There are 7 letters in each name and when put together are 777.. The perfect number.  His name "Ray" indicates his spirit shinning and pointing to God.  Ray of God's light.  He is the warmth and one of the many rays of truth, power and the light of Jesus Christ the son.  His middle name Michael, as in Michael the Archangel the defender of the faith.  The warrior angel of God.  Michael the warrior marine on earth.  Yes, Ray Knuffke, was a marine!  He would always tell anyone who asked him if he had been in the military service, and he would respond proudly; "No, I was a Marine!"  Papa was proud to be a marine.  The Marine Corp emblem is the world globe, with a navy anchor dissecting the globe and the American Eagle on top.  This symbolism to me was Papa anchored in his Roman Catholic faith defending his homeland and family from the evils of the world and using the weapon of God, prayer.

I was a Roman Catholic in name only, Papa showed me how to be a Roman Catholic, how to practice my faith.  Not by preaching to me.  Not by correcting me.  But by asking me to pray with him.  To quietly fall on my knees.  He would then begin to pray the rosary.  If you weren't on your knees, he didn't stop.  He kept going.  After a while you looked up at him and you would see him on his knees without complaint.  He had an inner strength.  You then realized, that if this man who was up in his years could bear the weight of his body on his knees for a few minutes to pray, then so could I.  At that moment I learned that suffering was praying too.  He was adamant about praying for the faithfully departed and the poor souls in purgatory.  We must remember that Papa is in purgatory and since he diligently prayed for the poor souls in purgatory, we must continue to do this for Papa’s sake and to honor Mama.  

His example as a father was that he always seemed to know what to do!  Papa loved to tease me about one of my earliest self-serving acts.  It was dinnertime and Mama had just put a large platter of fried chicken on the table.  I had never seen so much chicken that smelled so delicious.  In true young man fashion, I asked, "How many pieces of chicken do I get?"  And Papa, without missing a step, replied "You can only eat one at a time."  This taught me that I needed to be patient and put others first before myself.  At that moment Mama and Papa didn't have 8 children they had 9.  I watched him and learned that Papa lived by his moral religious compass.  He led by example.  He would make his decisions based on that moral standard.  It took all the guesswork out of life's tough decisions.  If the answer weren't coming fast enough, he would pray about it and leave in God's hands.  Most of the time, when you did something wrong, you knew he had the answer and it was coming at you pretty quickly.  But it would be just!  Through his religious compass he could answer quickly as to what was the best course of action.  

He showed me how to be a husband by always putting his wife Dolores first above all others.  He did not belittle her, but encouraged her input and opinion.  He saved his affection for her privately.  He had their time.  The love Ray and Dolores had for each other was manifested in their children.   

Papa, I love you dearly.  I only pray that I may be the man that you were.  You taught me how to be a husband, how to be a father, you taught me how to be a man, and you taught me how to be a Roman Catholic, 

Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray that your humble servant Raymond Michael Knuffke be with you now and in eternity, for if he brought you but only one soul to fully know you, he brought you mine!  Please Lord Jesus Christ grant this wish and all the wishes of the faithfully departed who are with him in purgatory and who will continue to need our prayers.  Amen.

Dear Mrs. Knuffke and Family, Sorry for your loss.  I want to let you all know that I will keep all of you in my prayers.  Albert Rivera (Carrollton, Texas)

Mike and Brad, 
To you and your whole family,
He's not gone just moved on
My condolences to you
in your time of sorrow.
May your heart be comforted
today and tomorrow,
You will miss his presence
being there all around
But I can assure you
he's moved to better ground.
He closed his eyes
here on this earth.
But opened them to heaven
where there is new birth.
Time will heal the sorrow,
Loving memories you will always
share. My heart goes out to you
I know he was loved and cared for.
My family and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers
God Bless Nina, Darrell and Cody

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  Love, Carl, Janet & Mary Katherine Keller
Little Rock, Arkansas

Jude:  I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My prayers are with you and all of the family.

Mary & Jude so sorry for the loss of your Father our thoughts and prayers are with you 
God Bless Alana & Michael Demma

Jude, 
To you and your whole family. We are so sorry for your loss. May all the memories you have of your dad live in your hearts forever.

When those we  treasure become a memory. That memory becomes a priceless treasure.

We are so sorry for your loss.  My family and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Victor and Susan Torres

Andee and the entire Knuffke family, I'm so sorry for your loss.  You have an absolutely wonderful family that I always loved being around and I'm glad all of the family was able to spend time with him before he passed.  What a great tribute this site is to him.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.  All our love, Diane, Bud & Matthew Hajek

Andrea, David and family, I am sorry for your loss. I am glad you all were at his side. The photo album is prescious, thanks for sharing. I will keep you in my prayers.

Knuffke Family and Andrea--We are so sorry about the loss of your father. I  know he was a good man and he raised great children. We will pray for your family to heal peacefully.
Love the Martin Family--John, Jackie, Emily and Stacy

Andee, our thoughts and prayers are with you. I know how much your Dad meant to you. Your best stories always involved him somehow. He was a great man. If there is anything we can do to help you through this time, please let us know. We love you.

We are sorry about your loss and are praying for you.  We know you have many happy memories that you will cherish.

Dear Mary,
I had a feeling that your father passed. A quick search confirmed my suspicions. I'm so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family, especially your mom, are in my prayers. Let them know I'm thinking of ya'll during the days, weeks, and months ahead as you learn to live w/ the void that you father's death has left. Hugs to all, Donna Schumacher

OBITUARY

Raymond Michael Knuffke

March 10, 1921 – March 6, 2010

Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel

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