Rod Knepp

Rod Knepp, 60, of Hannibal, Mo., passed away Friday, June 8, 2018, at Hannibal Regional Hospital. Rod was born on January 27, 1958, to Don Knepp and Jo Ann Billings Knepp McKenzie. Rod retired from the maintenance department at the Hannibal Housing Authority after 18 years of service. Away from work Rod loved sports. A standout athlete in his own right, Rod was a talented baseball pitcher and first basemen for the Hannibal Pirates and American Senior Legion teams. Rod, a 1976 Hannibal High graduate was also an excellent running back for the Pirates. Rod loved St. Louis Cardinals baseball, as a youngster he collected baseball cards and followed his favorite pitcher, Bob Gibson. Rod recently visited Cardinals Spring Training this year in Jupiter, Fla. and loved every minute of his experience there! If he wasn't watching sports Rod took pleasure in watching old westerns or James Bond movies. Growing up Rod always enjoyed the music of the Beatles. A talented cook, Rod's favorite specialty to prepare was always a 'nice steak'. Most of all Rod, will be remembered for his kind sprit. He had a genuine gift for working with the elderly and he enjoyed his work. Time with family was always cherished for Rod, rarely did a Sunday pass that he was not at his mother's house to enjoy a meal and watch a ballgame together. Rod was a Christian by faith. Survivors include Rod's mother, Jo Ann McKenzie of Hannibal and Rod's father, Don Knepp of Fulton, Mo.; one brother, Bill Knepp (Rhonda) of Chesterfield, Mo.; one sister, Jenny Wiles (Bryan) of New Bloomfield, Mo.; one aunt, Paula Quirk (Skip) of Hannibal, Mo.; one uncle, Stan Knepp (Judy) of Columbia, Mo.; one nephew, Jake Knepp (Ashley); one niece, Kaylen Knepp and cousins: Brady Quirk (Jamie), Scott Quirk (Mary) and Kim Brown (Chuck). Rod was preceded in death by his grandfather, Glenn Knepp; his grandparents, Bill and Otie Billings; great- grandparents, Harold and Marie Billings; his step-mother, Carolyn Knepp; an aunt and uncle, Alice and Glen Ardery; a cousin, Tamara Knepp and a cousin, Hannah Marie Quirk. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at the James ODonnell Funeral Home in Hannibal, Mo. Burial will be at Grand View Burial Park. Rev. Tim Goodman will officiate. Friends and Family are invited to Rod's Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Jake Knepp, Brady Quirk, Skip Quirk, Brian Wiles, Darrell Price and Mike Pipkin. Honorary pallbearers will be all of the current and the retired members of the Hannibal Housing Authority Maintenance Department. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope 4 Hannah in memory of Rod's cousin, Hannah Marie Quirk. Online condolences may be made and video tribute may be viewed at www.jamesodonnellfuneralhome.com