[55fan]

Walter E. Knepper Obituary

1934 - 2015


Walter Knepper

Walter E. "Junior" Knepper, 80, of Fairview Heights, Ill., born March 22, 1934, in Belleville, Ill., died Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Mr. Knepper owned and operated K & K Garage since 1960. He started auto racing at the age of 13. Junior owned his own race cars since the 1950's, winning championships in midget racing, sprint cars, and dirt championship cars. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, Ill. Walter was a U.S. Army veteran.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Frieda M., nee Fauss, Knepper; a brother in infancy; and two brothers-in-law, Alan Obst and Paul Wallenfels.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Mary A., nee Schmitz, Knepper, whom he married on

September 16, 1956; two children, Sandra L. (John) Cummins of Belleville, Ill., and Steven L. (Bonnie) Knepper of Swansea, Ill.; four grandchildren, Christa Garner, Jason (Jamie) Cummins, Nick Knepper, and Mackenzie Knepper; five great-grandchildren, Emma and Alyssa Garner, and Audrey, Chase, and Reed Cummins; and his sister, Lucille Wallenfels of Miami, Fla.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at: www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2015, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 23, 2015, at the funeral home with Chaplain Joe Chetta officiating. Entombment will follow at Valhalla Mausoleum, Belleville, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER

& SONS

FUNERAL HOME,

Belleville, Ill.
Published in Belleville News-Democrat on Jan. 21, 2015

[55fan]

Junior was a lifelong family friend. My father went to school with him. Dad told the story often about how many times they pushed the midget up and down the alley trying to get it to fire. This was the midget that raced @ the Astrodome. As a kid I spent many hours @ the Knepper shop with my Dad. I have very fond memories of those days. Made me a lifelong fan. Our condolences to Mary, Sandy, Steve and your families.
Bruce and Lori Rensing.