ANNA - Gilbert Harrell Knupp, 95, died at 11:09 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in Union County Hospital in Anna.
He was born April 21, 1912, in Anna, the youngest son of John J. and Bertha Wiggs Knupp.
He married Nellie Louise Wilkins on Aug. 26, 1948, in Cobden.
She survives.
Gilbert graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1931 and was employed by the Kroger Company for 20 years.
He was inducted in the U.S. Army on March 20, 1941, and was discharged on Sept. 25, 1945.
He served in the Campaigns of Luzon, Southern Phillipines and Guadalcanal.
He owned and operated Knupp's Food Center, which was located north of Anna, for three years.
He was employed by the State of Illinois as a Supervising Meat Inspector for Southern Illinois.
After retiring from State service, he served as a Director for The First National Bank of Jonesboro from 1981 to 2003.
Gilbert was a member of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro.
He was a life member of the Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna, and was Post Commander from 1954 to 1955.
He was a 50-year member of the Jonesboro Masonic No. 111, A.F. and A.M.
He was a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Lodge Council Consistory, Valley of Southern Illinois in Belleville; a member of AINAD Temple,
AAONMS of East St. Louis; and a member of Oasis Shrine Club of Anna-Jonesboro.
Gilbert is survived by his wife, Nellie Louise Knupp; nephews, Ronald Knupp, Steven Knupp, Robert Knupp, Dr. Harold Franklin Wilkins, Dr. Charles Joseph Wilkins,
Charles Joseph Wilkins Jr., Attorney Homer Wesley Wilkins, Jonathan Wilkins, Dirk Wilkins and Scott E. Wilkins; nieces, Sue Wilkins, Sandra Wilkins Bullock and
Taylor Wilkins; a cousin, Mary Ann Peter of St. Louis; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Owen Knupp and Harvey Knupp.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, in Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Clifford Heil officiating.
Interment will be in Anna City Cemetery with military honors at the grave by Carroll P. Foster No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Masonic services will be at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home by the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge No. 111 AF and AM.
Published in The Southern Illinoisan from 2/5/2008.