Robert "Bob" Knaffle

Robert “Bob” Knaffle, 90, of Cheboygan, passed away and entered into eternal life on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

A lifelong resident of Cheboygan, Bob was born December 26, 1927 at his parents’ home in Cheboygan, John and Minnie (Carlson) Knaffle.  He helped his father farm and later worked at Black River Orchard under the direction of Jared Arnold, manager.  He later attended Michigan State University for many workshops for the orchard, Haut Grocery Company as a heavy duty truck driver, Lakes Store in Cheboygan, installing dry goods and carpet, Lakes Store in Petoskey as manager.  He attended and graduated from the school of Flooring in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and later retired from Procter and Gamble after 27 years of employment.  He was known as “Bob the best carpet man”

Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II, being stationed in Oska, Japan, and was discharged in 1948.  He was an active member all his life at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Cheboygan, serving on the church council, and as an usher for 10 years.  He also loved gardening and snowmobiling, and took his two sons David and Roger to “Yellowstone” in the big snow.  On October 20, 1951 in Cheboygan, he married Patsy Gilpin at St. Thomas Church, to this union were born two sons and a daughter.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 67 years, Patsy, two sons, David (Barb) Knaffle of Wyoming, and Roger (Karry) Knaffle of Gaylord,  a daughter, Kay Needham of Cheboygan, grandchildren, Chris (Brenda) Knaffle of Florida, Sarah Knaffle of Stanwood, Trisha Knaffle of Indiana, Jessica (Josh) Traver of Roscommon, Melissa Knaffle  of Troy, and Bob (Aliha) Needham of Maple City, Greg (Brittany) Needham of Traverse City, and Holly (Chris) Seaford, also of Traverse City, great grandchildren, Kylie, Braden, Ryder, Drake, Brynn, Layla, Gianna, and Leland, three brothers, Ray, Allen, and Lonnie Knaffle, and two sisters, Alice Shields and Sally Daniels, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, a sister-in-law, and a brother-in-law.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018, from 11:00am until the time of the funeral service at noon, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Cheboygan, with military honors immediately following.  Rev. Dave Hueter will officiate, burial will be at Pinehill Cemetery in the spring.

Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Lutheran Church, or Hospice of Cheboygan.

Online condolences may be made at www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com.

The Nordman-Christian Funeral Home is caring for the family.

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