John E. Knight

John was born on December 19, 1945 in Rockford, the son of Frank Arnold and Ruby Calvert Trevier Knight. John married the love of his life Meryl R. Burd on April 16, 1966. John was a mill operator for Ingersoll and a Vietnam Veteran of the Army. John was an avid fisherman and longtime Minnesota Vikings fan. He loved and cherished his grandchildren and was known to all of them as “Grandpa Grumpy.”

John is survived by his wife Meryl; children: Debra Sink, David Shellstrom, Daniel (Tricia) Shellstrom, Dawn (Rob) Curington and John E. (Cassandra) Knight II; grandchildren: April Tinnin, Ron Beilfuss, Joshua Beilfuss, Nicole Betts, Johnathan Shellstrom, Justin Shellstrom, Amanda Shellstrom, Justin Woods, Lexie Shellstrom, Daniel Shellstrom, Brandon Curington, Jacob Curington, Emily Curington, David Saylor, Destiny Knight and Dylan Knight; numerous loving great-grandchildren; brothers: Arnold Knight and Rick (Linda) Knight.

John was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters and one great granddaughter Skylar Shellstrom.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family.

A service to celebrate John’s life will be 2:00 pm Friday January 13, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home 8800 N. Alpine Road in Machesney Park. Visitation for John will be from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.