Norbert J. "Hants" Knebel

Norbert J. "Hants" Knebel, age 92 of Pocahontas, IL, died Monday, March 12, 2018, at Highland Health Care Center in Highland, IL. He was born on Thursday, September 17, 1925, in Pierron, IL, the son of Osmar and Emma (nee Luber) Knebel. On Tuesday, April 18, 1950, he married Alice C. Knebel nee Beeble at Stuttgart Catholic Church, Stuttgart, AR, who passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2001. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Pierron, IL; Laborer's Local #100 - E. St. Louis, IL; Jamestown Coon Hunters; Pierron Improvement Club (P.I.C. Park). Norbert "Hants" was born and grew up on the family farm south of Pierron in Bond County. He farmed east of Pierron and worked for Laborer's Local #100 for many years. He was a Laborer until he retired.Norbert "Hants" played for the Millersburg Wolves baseball team for thirteen years primarily behind the plate. He stayed near a 400 average for 3 years. Not only did he have great hand eye coordination but was legendary for his strength. At the tender age of 16 years old he won the Bond County Wood Chopping contest, powering through 8" of solid hickory in the record time of 1 minute and 7 seconds. Always up for some good competition, Hants was a member of the Knebel Welding Horseshoe team for 7 years. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal's Baseball fan. He loved Coyote hunting. He enjoyed going to auctions and tinkering with stuff. Survivors include: Son - Charles W. "Chuck" (Karen) Knebel, Cabet, AR Son - Edward J. "Eddie" Knebel, Pierron, IL Son - Dennis M. "Denny" (Beth) Knebel, Pocahontas, IL Daughter - Connie M. (Bill) Kircher, Pocahontas, IL Daughter - Kathleen S. (Richard) Shultz, Dallas, TX Daughter - Donna L. Frey, Pocahontas, IL Daughter - Mary A. (Mike) Curry, Pocahontas, IL Grandchild - Laurie (Todd) Grawe Grandchild - Mark (Chrissy) Kircher Grandchild - Brandon (Ashley) Kircher Grandchild - Cody (Katie) Kircher Grandchild - Robin (Eric Hahn) Knebel Grandchild - Bill (Kristy) Knebel, Jr. Grandchild - Nick (Erica) Knebel Grandchild - Michelle (Todd) Busch Grandchild - Zachary Knebel Grandchild - Shannon (Matt) Chase Grandchild - Chuck (Lara) Knebel, Jr. Grandchild - Richard Shultz Grandchild - Allen Shultz Grandchild - Matthew Shultz Grandchild - Lee (Casie) Fuqua Grandchild - Lindsey (Mike) Hart Grandchild - Jacob Frey Grandchild - Jodi Frey Grandchild - David (Nicole) Knebel Grandchild - Randy (Zoe) Knebel Grandchild - Kevin Knebel Grandchild - Dylan Knebel Grandchild - Drew Knebel Grandchild - Ryan (Tammy) Curry Grandchild - Sarah Curry Great Grandchild - Jordyn Grawe Great Grandchild - Lacey Grawe Great Grandchild - Mikalyn Hart Great Grandchild - Madisyn Hart Great Grandchild - Travis Hart Great Grandchild - Emma Hart Great Grandchild - Iris Hart Great Grandchild - Erica Shultz Great Grandchild - Sarah Shultz Great Grandchild - Alexis Leihser Great Grandchild - Sasha Busch Great Grandchild - Samantha Busch Great Grandchild - Grant Knebel Great Grandchild - Zach Linhart/Fuqua Great Grandchild - Peyton Fuqua Great Grandchild - Ava Curry Great Grandchild - Drake Curry Great Grandchild - Owen Kircher Great Grandchild - Colin Kircher Great Grandchild - Cole Knebel Great Grandchild - Brody Knebel Great Grandchild - Annalee Chase Great Grandchild - Avery Chase Great Grandchild - Allison Knebel Great Grandchild - Paige Knebel Great Grandchild - Nori Kircher Great Grandchild - Kali Kircher Great Grandchild - Shelby Knebel Great Grandchild - Rose Knebel Brother - Delmar (Loretta) Knebel, Pierron, IL Sister - Shirley (Herb) Weis, Saint Jacob, IL. He was preceded in death by: Father - Osmar Knebel Mother - Emma C. Knebel, nee Luber Wife - Alice C. Knebel, nee Beeble - Died 5/19/2001 Son - William N. "Bill" Knebel - Died 9/18/2008 Son - Gary A. Knebel - Died 6/19/1969 at age 12 Children - Three Infants Great Grandchild - Adam Hahn - Died 12/08/2007 Great Grandchild - Gracie Chase - Died 12/24/2009 Sister - Antoinette M. Knebel - Died 3/12/1959 Brother - Wilbert "Willie" Knebel - Died 12/06/2010 Brother - Clifford Knebel - Died in 1946 Brother - Orville Knebel - Died 11/03/1994 Brother - Harvey Knebel - Died 2/23/2003 Brother - Jesse Knebel - Died 1/04/2006 Sister - Gladys C. Tebbe - Died 12/06/2017. Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pierron, IL, with Fr. Scott A. Snider, Pastor, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Pierron, IL, officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Pierron, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, or Masses.

Norbert J. "Hants" Knebel

September 17, 1925 - March 12, 2018