- Date Of Birth: January 24, 1936
- Date Of Death: December 29, 2013
- State: Illinois
With loving arms and family surrounding him, O. Dene Knight went to meet the Lord on Sunday December 29, 2013 at 3:48 pm at Memorial Hospital. Mr. Knight was born in East St. Louis, IL on January 24, 1936. He graduated from East St. Louis High School in 1954 and lettered in football and track. Mr. Knight played football and ran track at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, and earned a bachelor’s degree in science. He earned a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Educational Administration. Mr. Knight, who served in the ROTC program in college, was drafted for active duty in the United States Army in 1961. He was discharged with honorable service in 1961. Mr. Knight Started his career at Landsdowne Junior High School where he coached basketball, football, track, and taught science.
He was a teacher at Landsdowne Junior High School for eight years. In 1969, Mr. Knight became the assistant principal at O’Fallon Township High School for twenty five years. Mr. Knight was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association. He was a student teacher evaluator for twelve years at McKendree University. He coached little league in O’Fallon, and he was a deacon for Winstanley Baptist Church and was an active member of the First Baptist Church in O’Fallon, IL. He was past president of the O’Fallon Shiloh Valley Caseyville Fire Protection District. In his spare time, Mr. Knight loved to do woodworking, attend his grandchildren’s numerous events, and play golf.
Mr. Knight was preceded in death by his father Orval V. Knight, his mother Dova E. Knight Steepro, and a sister. Mr. Knight is survived by his wife Jane Pickering Knight whom he married in 1961, his son Doug Knight married to Dianna Knight of Willis, Texas, daughter Leslie Zuber Married to Jay Zuber of O’Fallon, Illinois, three grandchildren Shelby Knight, Jacob Knight, and Heath Zuber, and a brother Homer Gene McWilliams of Galesburg, Illinois. He had numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.
