Eugene Knecht

Eugene Francis Knecht age 77 of Paola passed away Aug. 18, at the Miami County Hospital. Services will be Sat at 10:00AM Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel, visitation Fri. from 6 to 8:00 PM, burial St Mary"s Cemetery Louisburg, memorials to the American Heart or Cancer Society. Gene was born Dec. 31, 1931 in Louisburg, KS. To Frank and Margaret Peuser Knecht. He attended the Wea and Louisburg High School . He enlisted in the United States Airforce and served 4 years. Gene was united in marriage to Roberta Buck to this union two children were born, Joe and Sharon . This marriage later ended in divorce. In 1966 he was married to Lucille Powell until her death.In May of 1987 he was united in marriage to Sammye Nesmith in St. Louis, MO. Gene worked for the Colgate Polmolive Company,Knecht Equipment Company, and in 1965 started the Knecht Commercial Vending Company after purchasing it from Noble Light. Gene enjoyed traveling with his wife Sammye to Alamo Texas and Mexico, where he helped the orphanage with clothing, and the Mexican children with bicycles he had collected. He was past president of Friends of the Mexican Children Association. His memberships encluded the VFW, American Legion, Eagles, St. Phillip Catholic in Osawatomie, and many camping clubs of America. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, George, Clarence, and Joe Knecht, and wife' Lou.' Survivors are his wife Sammye of Paola, son Joe Knecht Sr. of Cameron, MO., dau., Sharon Lett and husband Randy of K.C. MO., grandson Joe Knecht Jr., of Paola, 2 great grandchildren, step dau., Sandra Polfer of Paola, 3 other step children., 2 step grandchildren, 3 sisters Margorie George of Wea, KS., Rita Thomas of Herman MO., and Mary Wheeler of Wea, KS.