John H. Knitt, age 87, of Marion, died peacefully on April 7, 2020, in a New London nursing home while receiving hospice services. He had been a resident of Marion since 1947, when his parents moved their family from Clintonville to establish Marion Hardware. John’s entire work-life was with this family business, which until John retired in 2003, provided plumbing and heating services, sand and gravel, and at one time included a lumber yard. Born into the large extended families of his parents, Alfred Knitt and Myrtle (Kautz) Knitt, John had three younger brothers, dozens of cousins and many happy childhood memories of riding his bicycle to the Knitt Farm. His experiences at the farm fostered a lifelong respect for farmers and conservation. Related to this, he took special pride in tree farm management of his Ranch.
John graduated from Marion High School and was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in France and Germany during the Korean War. He was particularly active with the VFW Post in Big Falls and was a member of the American Legion in Marion. During his working years John was a Rotarian, and more recently he kept up with all things John Deere through the Fox Valley Two-Cylinder Club.
John was baptized and confirmed at Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville, and has been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church since moving to Marion. He married Laura Irene Perttula in 1965 at Zion Lutheran Church, Ironwood, Michigan. Irene, as she was known, predeceased John in 2009. John is forever in the hearts of his daughters and their spouses: Laura (Nat), Lois (Kevin) and Janice (special friend Jeff); and grandchildren: Trevor, Aidan, Antone, Simon, Alison and William. He is also survived by his brother Jim; sisters-in-law Shirley, Karen and Laura; many Knitt, Kautz and Perttula family members; and friends with whom he shared many good times. John was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers Bill and Tom, and sister-in-law Dee.
John’s daughters and his cousin, the Rev. Leon Knitt, are having a private family service with burial at Trinity – St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Town of Dupont, on April 18th. Military Honors will be provided by members of the VFW Post 8770 and American Legion Post 198. Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Marion, is assisting with arrangements. Please go to www.beil-didier.com to sign the online guestbook or to send a card to the family. Special thanks go out to St. Joseph Residence and Ascension Hospice Care.
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