Manley C. Knutson

Manley C. Knutson, 94, of Ottawa, IL passed away Saturday, December 4, 2010, at LaSalle County Nursing Home. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 11, 2010 at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Polly Klimson officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Friday December 10, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Manley was born November 15, 1916 in Mission Twp. to Melvin and Anna (Nelson) Knutson. He married Vera Milby November 25, 1950. She passed away October 2005. He later married Christine Vicich January 3, 1980 in Ottawa. She died December 15, 2004. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946-1947. Manley graduated from Tri State College in Angola, IN. He worked for Bell Aircraft, Signode Corp., and later retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation after 32 years of service, as a Civil Engineer. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School for 15 years, ushered for over 20 years and served on several Church committees. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Engineer's Rod and Gun Club, Salvation Army Board, and AFSCME. He also volunteered in the Adopt-A-Highway program through the Men's Group at First United Methodist Church in Ottawa, and was a volunteer at Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center as a driver for the Care-A-Van. He liked to build wood furniture and repair tricycles and wagons. Manley is survived by three daughers, Bonnie Knutson, Beverly (Bruce) Hucker, both of Ottawa, and Merle (Michael) Clark of Darien, IL; one son, David Knutson of Sunnyvale, CA; four step-daughters, Gail Knutson of Ottawa, Monica (David) Pershick of Normal, IL, Carol Knutson (Peter Stuck) of Hudson, IL, Karen (Eric) Ladenheim of Clovis, CA; one step-son, Gary Knutson of Ottawa; three grandchildren, Benjamin Hucker, Molly (Tommy) Maffeo, Mallory Clark; four step grandchildren, Alex and Andrew Ladenheim and Victoria and Colin Pershick ; one great granddaughter, Isabella Maffeo; four sisters, Burnette Smith of Ottawa, Ruby Vanderburg of South Carolina, Helen Hagen of DeKalb, IL, and Shirley Alioto of Michigan; and two brothers, Wesley (Carol) Knutson of Atkinson, IL and Robert (Miriam) Knutson of Morris, IL. He is preceded in death by three sisters, Arlie Thompson, Irma Weinhold, and Betty Knutson; and five brothers, Leaman, Orvin, Truman, Maynard, and Archie Knutson. Pallbearers will be Bruce and Ben Hucker, Mike Clark, Dennis and Dale Knutson, and Glen Kulifay. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Krepps, Ray Baxter, and David Emanuelson. Memorials may be directed to the family to establish an educational scholarship in Manley's name.

click for directions