Gary Knierim

Gary G. Knierim, loving father and grandpa, 77 of Mattoon, IL passed away peacefully at home at 4:40 PM on Saturday, December 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Mattoon, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at the First Baptist Church, 1804 South 9th Street, Mattoon, IL. Pastor Dennis Strawn will officiate. Burial with Military Rites conducted by the Clarence Bixler Post 409 American Legion, Findlay, IL will follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon, IL. If you own a classic car, the family would like to invite you to join the funeral procession, weather permitting. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. 

Gary was born on June 29, 1947 in Decatur, IL. He was the son of Ralph J. and Margadene (Park) Knierim. He married Audrey Adams on July 17, 1992, they were blessed with 23 ½ years of marriage before her passing on February 16, 2016.

He is survived by a daughter, Melissa Daugherty and her husband Mathew of Charleston, a son, John Knierim and his wife Jennifer of Villa Grove, IL, seven grandchildren, Dalton Wagner, Madison Omer, Mason Daugherty, Clayton Knierim, Peyton Daugherty, Parker Knierim and Garrett Knierim, special friend, Jackie Butler, four step children, David Adams and his wife April of Cave Creek, AZ, Steve Adams and his wife Becky of Cooks Mills, IL, Rick Adams and his wife Jackeline of Inverness, FL, and Leanne Shain and her husband Chuck of Sullivan, IL, six step grandchildren, David Shain and his wife Melissa, Alyssa Shain, Cara Shain, Katherine Adams, Natalie Adams and James Adams, two step great grandchildren, Colin Shain and Ellie Shain, three siblings, Sharon Land of Shelbyville, IL twin brother, Larry Knierim and his wife Judy of Findlay, IL, and Donna Stretch and her husband Tom of Shelbyville, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Audrey, and one brother-in-law, William Land.

Gary was a 1965 graduate of Findlay High School. He was drafted into the United States Army on August 22, 1966. He was a member of the 1st Battalion 18th Infantry Division, “The Big Red 1”. He served in Vietnam for 11 months before being injured during combat on December 3, 1967. Sargent Gary G. Knierim received the following commendations while serving our country: Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and Oakley Cluster, awarded for multiple acts of combat heroism, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, Marksman Badge with Machine Gun Bar, 2 Overseas Bars and was honorably discharged in August of 1968. Gary was a member of the Vietnam Head Injury Study at Walter Reed Medical Center. 

After his recovery from the Army, Gary went back to work for Caterpillar Tractor Company and retired after 35 years of service. 

Some of his favorite pastimes were spent attending his grandkids games and races, traveling, photography, woodworking, riding motorcycles, collecting antiques, toy farm tractors, refurbishing his 1949 Chevy Fleet Line Deluxe, 1949 Ford F-1 and 1984 Chevy Silverado and participating in many antique car shows.

Gary was a member of the United Methodist Church in Findlay, IL and most recently a member of the First Baptist Church in Mattoon, IL where he had served as a Decan.

A special thanks to the SBLHC Home Care and Hospice teams, and the Help at Home: VA Caregivers, Ashley, Trish and Debbie.

Memorials may be made in Gary’s name to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight or Clarence Bixler Post 409 American Legion, Findlay, IL.