Thomas L. Knapke

GLANDORF - Thomas L. Knapke, 88, of Glandorf, died Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Toledo.   He was born February 17, 1927 in Cranberry Praire, OH to the late Anthony and Anna (Hemmelgarn) Knapke.  On June 2, 1951, he married Dorothy Murray.  She died July 19, 2012.

Survivors include six children:  Mary Anne (David) Migliore of Worthington, Jeanne Callahan of Phoenix, AZ, Thomas G. (Kitty) Knapke of Cincinnati, Margaret (Gary Spitnale) Dissette of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Liz (Bo) Bacon of Mansfield, and Joe (Amy) Knapke of Columbus; 16 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; two sisters:  Beata Muhlenkamp of St. Henry, and  Ann Hickey of Dayton; a daughter-in-law: Kathy Knapke of Riverside, CA; and a son-in-law: Bob Mintz of Worthington. He was also preceded in death by a son: James Knapke; a daughter: Tina Chia; grandson: Tommy Knapke; three brothers: Fr. Paul Knapke, Luke Knapke, Anthony Knapke; and five sisters: Joan Knapke, Prisca Liskowiak, Marie Smith, Lorene Knapke, and Betty Goetz.

Tom had a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Dayton and was a teacher for the Ottawa-Glandorf School System, specializing in Math and Science.  A military veteran, Tom was a member of the Army Specialized Training Program during WWII, he received his honorable discharge with rank of Corporal.  Tom was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf,  where he was the organist for 63 years and the former choir director.  He was a member of 2 barbershop quartets; the Minster "Quadranters" with Luke Knapke, Melvallo, Gene Morman and the "Glandorf Four" with Jack Quinn, Bob Quinn and Bob Hanneman.  He received "Glandorf Distinguished Citizen" dedication and service to the Glandorf community.  A man of many interests, Tom enjoyed family, grandchildren, fishing and woodworking.  He was an accomplished tennis player and was passionate about music and reading.  In retirement, Tom was active in the Putnam County Council on Aging and Putnam County Retired Teachers Association.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 2, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf with Fr. Tony Fortman officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Ottawa American Legion, VFW and AMVETS. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa where there will be a parish rosary at 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or to the Putnam County Library.

Condolences can be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.