Claude "Carroll" Knoles
Carroll Knoles, 96, of Springfield, formerly of Pana, went to be with the Lord at 6:15 pm, Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Lewis Memorial Christian Village. He was born November 9, 1914 in Farmingdale, Illinois to Claude and Josie Woodruff Knoles. He married Helen Marsh of Pana on May 11, 1940 and she survives. Also surviving are three children Miriam Dannenberger, Warren (Deborah) Knoles and Marsha K. Woodruff DDS all of Springfield, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He joined the Navy in 1933 and served aboard Battleship USS Colorado for four years in peace time. After Pearl Harbor, he re-enlisted in 1943 and served three years aboard Carrier Vessel Escort (CVE 103) USS ROI in the Pacific. He retired in 1976 from the U.S. Postal Service with 33 years of civil service.
Memberships include Pana Christian Church, West Side Christian where he served as an Elder and was active in BeauKnots Class and VIP Ministry; lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and Masonic Lodge in Athens; Trustee and board member at Inner City Mission; Trustee and board member of Lewis Memorial Christian Village and Christian Homes, Inc. of Lincoln, IL for over 30 years. He was president of Springfield’s Chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees for four years; volunteer at the Illinois State Capitol when Legislature was in session and at Lewis Memorial Christian Village for over twenty-seven years. Carroll and Helen recently celebrated 71 years of marriage.
Visitation: 4-7 pm, Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at West Side Christian Church.
Additional Visitation: 10:30-11:30 am, Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at West Side Christian Church.
Funeral Service: 11:30 am, Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at West Side Christian Church with Eddie Lowen officiating. Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery, where Sangamon County Interveterans and U.S. Navy will conduct military honors.
Memorials may be made to West Side Christian Church, Lewis Memorial Christian Village, or Inner City Mission.
Dr. John Knoles posted on 1/27/13
What a wonderful man. I only had the honor to visit with him a few times in my life, but always felt it a privilege to spend time with him. Although I'm a veteran myself (USAF), I told him it was his generation that really did the work: he and his buddies are the reason America is America. Best of all is his testimony for Jesus. He and few other men in the Knoles clan have had the courage to accept, honor and serve Jesus Christ as he has. What a great example he has set for his family - as a man, as a Christian, and as a Sailor.