John C. Kniker, Jr.

John C. Kniker, Jr., age 73, of Belleville, IL, born on December 24, 1951, in St. Louis, MO., died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, IL.

John was an engine mechanic for Erb Equipment and retired in 2020.  He was a cancer survivor and a sports enthusiast loving to watch the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues games.  John was a Cub Scout Master, coached the West End Khoury League Baseball Team, played cork ball, softball for the Reds and enjoyed volleyball.  He collected Lionel Trains, stamps and coins.  But most of all, John loved his family and was his grandchildren’s number one fan of their activities. 

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Hayden Sipes; his parents, John C. and Rosemary, nee Connelly Kniker, Sr; his sister, Janet Savage.

John is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lynn Kniker, nee Boucher; his 5 children, Rebecca (Isaac) May, Sarah Kniker (Bob Sipes), John C. (Emily) Kniker, III; Alex (Alexis) Kniker, and Christopher (Nicole) Mispagel; 10 grandchildren, Rheagan, Otto, Josie, and Ezra May; Hailey Sipes, Eloise and John C. “Jack” Kniker IV; and Norah, Harrison, and Clark Mispagel; and his sisters, Lisa Weber and Elaine (Gary) Remelius.  He was also our loving brother-in-law, uncle and cousin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to donor services at www.alz.org.                              

The family would like to thank the All In 4 You Adult Daycare in Belleville and the doctors and nurses at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for their professional and loving care.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kassly Mortuary Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.

A funeral procession will leave Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.  Interment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, IL, at a later date.

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