Ivo L. Knapp

Ivo L. Knapp, 97, of South Haven, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021 at River Ridge Retirement Community in South Haven, Michigan.  He was born July 15, 1923 to William Henry and Emma Christina (Schildgen) Knapp in South Haven.  Ivo graduated from South Haven High School with the Class of 1942 and was later inducted into the South Haven Sports Hall of Fame.  He then went on to work at Everett Piano Factory for many years before his retirement.  Ivo married Harriet L. Lockwood and they shared nearly 70 years of marriage before her passing in June 2013.  An avid craftsman, he enjoyed painting and wood working.  For thirty years, Ivo began his day with his veteran’s coffee club at McDonalds.  He was a member of St. Basil Catholic Church.

Ivo served his country as a grade 5 medical technician in the United States Army during World War 11 from 1944 to 1946.  He served during the battle of Tinian Island in the Pacific Campaign.  This island is 1500 miles from Tokyo and 200 miles from Guam.  The island’s airport was the launching site for Enola Gay and the Atomic Bomb, which he was able to watch take off.  He received the American Theatre Service & Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medals.  A highlight for Ivo was the Honor flight to Washington D.C. he took 3 years ago!

He was preceded in death by his parents, his dear wife, Harriet L Knapp, daughter Susan Joan Knapp, all his siblings; William Henry (Elanor) Knapp, Mary Louise (David) Cunningham, Giles (Fr Joseph) Knapp, Ruth Melora (Page) Kerbawy, Sister M. Patricia Knapp, OLVM, Keith M. (Rita) Knapp, Emma Ann (John) Prihoda, Teresa E. (William) Locey, Francis X. (Lena) Knapp, and Sally Lockwood Hart, sister-in-law.

Ivo was survived by Dr. Richard Hart, brother-in-law, 42 nieces and nephews, Robert and Jennie Wertheimer and daughter Alice and longtime family friend William Lundy.  Also survived by Doug Landers, longtime friend who accompanied Ivo on The Special Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 31st, 2021 at 12:00 P.M. at St. Basil Catholic Church in South Haven. All who attend are invited to join the family at a luncheon in the church after the internment of Ivo’s cremains at the Church of the Epiphany.   Ivo will be laid to rest at the memorial garden at the Church of the Epiphany Episcopal Church in South Haven, Michigan.  Memorials may be made in Ivo’s memory to The South Haven American Legion #49, 129 Michigan, South Haven, MI  49090 or St. Basil Catholic Church, 513 Monroe Blvd., South Haven, MI  49090

Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 269-637-0333.