Earl G. Knott

GREENFIELD

Earl G. Knott, 91, of Greenfield passed away Thursday, March 17, 2016.

Kind, giving, and full of life, Earl enjoyed life to the fullest. Earl was born in Centralia, Illinois, on Sept. 23, 1924.

Having a meager childhood, Earl worked very hard in life for his family, at times working three jobs. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 to join his brother during World War II, serving on the SS President Tyler and the SS Sea Bass, both troop transports in the South Pacific. Earl was a proud Navy Veteran and a very patriotic person who showed great love for our country. He was awarded the Victory Medal, an American Area Ribbon, an Asiatic Ribbon, and a Good Conduct Ribbon. Earl was honorably discharged from the US Navy after the war.

He was a lifelong member of the Moose Lodge, VFW, and the American Legion. In 2009, Earl was allowed to travel on the Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, DC with his dear friend and fellow veteran Manuel Michael, a trip they both truly cherished.

After the war he worked in Indianapolis where he met and married Joyce Padgett in 1946. They were married for 56 years until her passing in 2002. Their marriage produced four sons, Stephen (Dixie), Randy, Keith (Robin) and Greg, who passed in 1992. They had two grandchildren, Michael Knott and Evan Knott and nine great-grandchildren. Earl also is survived by his sister, Shirley Ann Miller of Sandoval, Illinois.

Earl loved his St. Louis Cardinals and his memories harken back to the days of the Gas House Gang and Stan Musial.

He loved gardening and growing huge vegetable gardens that he would proudly give to family and friends. He continued this practice until last year at age 90. He also loved hunting (when younger), going to Major League Baseball games and playing baseball with his boys. Earl loved to build and his many years of being a skilled tradesman allowed him to build several family homes. He also co-owned a small steel fabricating company with his brother Jerry.

Earl loved to dance, especially to country music and his latter years were with his companion and dance partner Barbara Creech whom he greatly loved and cherished.

Mr. Knott’s service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Singleton Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 7602 Madison Ave., Indianapolis. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m.  Monday and from 10 a.m. to service time at the mortuary.

The family is appreciative of Barbara and dear friend, Jack Harrison and friends, Barbara Knott and Cheryl Burton. The family also is appreciative of all the love and support Dad received during this past year of his illness.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at singletonmortuary.com.