- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1925
- Date Of Death: May 12, 2019
- State: Indiana
Rev. Martin Erich Knippa Rev. Martin Erich Knippa, 93, passed away Sunday May 12, 2019 at the Methodist Village in Lawrenceville, IL at 7:00 AM.
He was born November 4, 1925 in Loebau, Texas the son of Alwin J. and Martha Moerbe Knippa and was baptized and confirmed there in Christ Lutheran Church. He attended Christian Day School and his high school education was at the Concordia College in Austin, TX. His education continued at St. John’s College in Winfield, KS. He finished his training for the pastoral ministry in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. During the latter time, his vicar years were at Immanuel Lutheran School, Giddings, TX and Holy Cross Lutheran School in Kerrville, TX. During his extended ministry, he served many congregations and vacant congregations in Texas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. He was honored by his church family for serving his congregations and the ministry for more than 50 years before his retirement that preceded several years of continued service.
He married Beatrice Yvonne Hazelwood on August 30, 1950 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cisco, TX and the Lord blessed this union with four children. John Knippa, and his wife Christina of Long Beach, CA, David Knippa, and his wife Anchalee of Freeport, ME, Kathryn Knippa of Vincennes, IN, and Stephen Knippa, and his wife Sandy of Lawrenceville, IL. He was blessed with 8 grandchildren, Karin Faiella, Audra Knippa, Lucas Knippa, Kira Knippa, Sara Knippa. Austin Hardig, Heather Hardig and Mindy Jenkins. 6 great grandchildren, Madeline Faiella, Jayda Jenkins, Macey Jenkins, Taylor Hardig, Jayli Bonds and Aubri Jenkins. He is also survived by two sisters, Elma Schatte, Lillian Hohle, and her husband Mel Hohle as well as many treasured nieces and nephews.
Pastor was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, B. Yvonne Knippa in 2010, his parents, four brothers, Arthur Knippa, Ludwig Knippa, Bill Knippa and Isedor Knippa. A sister, Hildegard Manichia, his brothers in law, Ed Schatte, Louis Manichia. Sisters in law, Ella Knippa, Adell Knippa and Leona Knippa.
