Raymond R. Knopik

Raymond R. Knopik, age 93, of Swansea, IL, born on October 15, 1927, in East St. Louis, IL, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, O’Fallon, IL.

Raymond was a United States Navy WWII Veteran.  He was employed as a meat inspector for the United States Government for 36 years and lived a full life during his retirement years.  Raymond was a member of the Polish American War Veterans, St. Louis Metro Polka Club, and a  loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Browns, and Blues.

Raymond was a devout Catholic and served as an usher and Eucharistic Minister along with numerous other volunteer functions at his former parish, St. Albert the Great/Holy Trinity.  His faith in God and family was unwavering. He had a green thumb and freely shared his bountiful harvest with family and friends. He could fix or build anything, large or small, from birdhouses to homes. He was a devoted family man and was involved in numerous sporting endeavors with his kids and grandkids. He was a member of the “Knothole Gang” and passed along his love of baseball by coaching his children’s softball teams.  He was an avid bowler, loved to fish, and along with Jeannie, danced the Polka all over the Midwest. He loved food, particularly Polish cuisine, was an awesome cook and baker, and delighted in preparing meals for his family.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Andrew (Helen) Knopik.

Raymond is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Jeannie A. Knopik, nee Borowiak; his children, Richard (Ellen) Knopik of Glen Carbon, IL, Teresa (Sam) Randel of St. Jacob, IL, Kathy (Raymond) Dodds of Troy, IL, and JoEllyn (Chris) Guthrie of Spring Hill, FL; his grandchildren, Julie (Amy) Baiser, Jennifer (Mike) Kicielinski, Richard Knopik, Laurie (Aaron) Archibee, Michael Guthrie, Joseph Guthrie, and Kyle Guthrie; his great granddaughters, Addison Baiser and Aurora Archibee; his great grandson, Arie Baiser; his brother, Walter (Marcia) Knopik of Sarasota, FL, sister Geraldine (Gene) O’Hearn of Mt. Laurel, N.J; and his three sisters-in-law, Patricia Groennert, Gail Brady, and Jane Borowiak.  He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Memorials may be made in the form of masses to St. Augustine of Canterbury Church, Belleville, IL.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 19, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church, Belleville, IL with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.  Interment will follow in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

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