Charles Merle Knapp

Charles Merle Knapp, 81, of Dowagiac, MI, died Sunday, August 7, 2016 at Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis, MI. A Celebration of Life will take place at 3pm on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St, Dowagiac, MI with Pastor Kel Penny officiating. Memorial donations may be directed to M40 Hustlers 4-H Club, 33171 Peavine St, Dowagiac, MI 49047. Clark Chapel in Dowagiac is assisting the Knapp family. Charles was the son of the late Helen (Townsend) and Paul Knapp. Born in Dowagiac MI. He graduated from the Dowagiac schools before going to Michigan State University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics. Charles married Sue Anna Preston on February 22, 1958.  While living in St. Louis they added two daughters to their family while he served in the Air Force before his Honorable Discharge in October 1963. The family moved to Stevensville, MI where they added a son and Charles served as the Berrien County Tax Equalization Director from 1961-71. They enjoyed being closer their Dowagiac family and active campers with the Blossomland Vagabonds. The family moved to Farmington Hills where Charles was the Corporate Manager with Bendix from 1971 until they moved to New Jersey in 1983 where Charles served as Director of Appraisal and Property Taxes for Allied in Morristown. Charles received numerous special recognition awards before he retired at the early age of 53 and promptly donated all of his ties to Goodwill.   Charles and Sue returned to Dowagiac where they spent years painstakingly restoring the Centennial home that has been in their family since 1878. Charles was always an avid runner, completing numerous marathons; and an avid bicyclist, completing ten PALM (Peddle Across Lower Michigan) rides and two other state rides. He was an “Opinion Maker” columnist for local papers and avid photographer documenting their family life; and traveler throughout his life, Charles and Sue remained very involved with the local 4H. They were very blessed with a large and loving extended family. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his infant sister, Phyllis. He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Sue (Preston) Knapp, Dowagiac, MI; two daughters, Tamara Lea Tabor (Jeffry), Ann Arbor, MI and Sandra Sue Wheeler (Norton), Quaker Hill, CT; a son, Charles Paul Knapp, Wyoming, MI; a brother, Donald E. Knapp, Dowagiac, MI and a sister, Patricia (Knapp) Preston, Dowagiac, MI. He is survived by five grandchildren, Christopher Reid (Brandi), Kelly Kleinertz (Eric), Paul Knapp, Mason Wheeler and Jackson Wheeler plus three great-grandchildren Ella, Dylan and Levi.