Ivo F. Knapke

Ivo F. Knapke age 86 of Versailles, Ohio, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 surrounded by his family.  He was born August 23, 1938 in Osgood Ohio, to the late Aloys & Dorena (Bohman) Knapke.  He married Henrietta Schmitmeyer on January 27, 1962 in St. Sebastian Church. She survives in Versailles. He is also survived by children: Anthony & Anita Knapke, Greenville, Terrance & Kay Knapke, Versailles, Susan & Christopher Heitkamp, Versailles, Bernard & Nicole Knapke, Versailles, Lynn & Brian McEldowney, Versailles, James & Katherine Knapke, Versailles, 24 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, sisters: Janice & Charles Schwieterman, Montezuma, Gladys Rethman, Maria Stein, brother-in-law Thomas & Mary Ann Poeppelman, in-laws: Eunice & Willard Dahlinghaus, Egypt, Martin & Marie Schmitmeyer, St. Sebastian, Mildred Schmitmeyer, Coldwater, Ella Mae & Roger Watercutter, Ft. Wayne. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Mary Ann Knapke, 2 great grandchildren, sister Dolores Poeppelman, brother-in-law Denis Rethman, in-laws: Luke Schmitmeyer, Mary Evelyn & Louis Bruns, Ernest & Alma Schmitmeyer, Marian & Gregor Evers, Sr. Lucille Schmitmeyer, and Martin’s first wife Lucille Schmitmeyer.  He was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Osgood, the Men’s Sodality of the church and the Knights of Columbus, Versailles.  He was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed carpentry. He served in the US Army Reserves and enjoyed in his early years playing in the Bruns Brothers Dance Band.  He played cards at the Do- Good Restaurant.  He was an avid sports fan and loved the Versailles Tigers, OSU Buckeyes, Cincinnati Reds and Bengals.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Osgood.  Burial will follow at St. Martin Cemetery, Osgood.  Friends may call at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Russia from 3 to 7 PM on Monday, March 17, 2025 and from 9 to 10 AM on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Ohio Hospice of Miami County 3230 N. County Rd. Troy OH 45373, Do Good Restaurant and Morgan’s Place Cemetery.  Condolences may be left at www.hogenkampfh.com.