Paul Dutch Kneller

A lifelong resident of the community he loved, Paul Dutch Kneller lived a life of purpose filled with the people and experiences he loved. He was a hardworking man of honor and courage who was willing to sacrifice for others in ways both great and small. Dutch was a devoted family man who was thrilled to witness his family grow to include the children and grandchildren who filled his heart with joy. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, he created a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on.

Nearly a century has passed since our nation ushered in the vibrant days of the Roaring Twenties. Innovation was taking us places we had never been and opportunities were widespread. This was the decade that witnessed the end of the silent film era and when Broadway was at its all-time peak while baseball legends Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth made baseball Americas favorite pastime. Amidst this colorful time was the year 1922, which was filled with great anticipation for Sherman LeRoy and Bertha (Lickey) Kneller as they were awaiting the birth of their new baby as spring colored Whitley County, Indiana, in all her radiant beauty. The big day finally arrived on April 27th when the baby boy they named Paul Russell drew his first breath. He was the youngest of five Kneller children to be raised in Washington Township of Whitley County as he was joined in his family by his siblings, Ray, George, Sherm, and Clela.

For the most part, Paul, or Dutch as he was usually known, was a young boy of his generation. He was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church in Columbia City on September 19, 1922. As a student Dutch attended Washington Township Grade and High School where he was on the boys varsity basketball team. He went on to graduate from high school in 1940.

It was also as a young man that life was forever changed for Dutch when he met the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Marvene Smith, and it didnt take the couple long to fall deeply in love. With the desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Dutch and Marvene were married on January 30, 1942, at Jefferson Chapel Church.

The early 1940s were very much defined by WWII. Although America had no plans of taking part, those hopes were dashed with the vicious attack on our nations naval base in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. At that time Dutch was working as a brakeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad, but he enlisted in the United States Army on October 21, 1942, willing to do his part. He was part of the European Theatre and served in Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland with Dwight Eisenhower. Dutch was wounded in France and hospitalized in Belgium, receiving the following awards: American Theater Ribbon, EAME Theater Ribbon with 3 bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal World War II, and a Purple Heart. While in the military he was a Golden Glove winner in his weight class, and he was honorably discharged on December 31, 1945.

With his military duties fulfilled, Dutch returned home and went back to work for Pennsylvania Railroad which would become ConRail where he worked as a passenger train conductor and then later as a freight conductor. He retired on May 4th, 1983. In addition, Dutch was a lifelong farmer. When he became more limited and was no longer able to actively farm, he leased the farm to Chuck Hinen and later to the Hinen Brothers.

While he was busy establishing his career, Dutch and Marvene were also raising their two children, Pam and Doug, in the home they built next to her parents farm in Jefferson Township. This is where Dutch lived for the rest of his life. With an apple orchard on his farm, he also made cider for years. Within his community, Dutch was instrumental in establishing the first Jefferson Township Boys Little League baseball team and the first Whitley County Pony Club where he also served as vice president. He was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church and the American Legion, Post 98.

During recent years, Dutch experienced both peaks and valleys along his lifes journey. He enjoyed watching his grandson, Cameron, build his trucks, however, he also expected that Cameron cleaned up after he was done each day. On January 24, 2010, Dutch was deeply saddened when his wife passed.

With unending devotion to his family, Paul Dutch Kneller was a blessing in the lives of everyone he met. Life was not without times of trial, but he faced whatever came his way with unwavering faith and strength. Dutch worked hard, but he took the time to enjoy life, too, and everything was made better when he was enjoying them with his family and friends. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.

Paul Dutch Kneller, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 2:38 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at his farm. Dutchs family includes his daughter, Pam Hitzeman of Columbia City; son, Doug (Sherree) Kneller of Holly, Michigan; and grandchildren, Cameron Hitzeman, Erin Kneller, and Kevin Kneller. Dutch was preceded in death by parents, Sherman Kneller and Bertha Loe; wife, Marvene Kneller; infant daughter, Kay Marlene Kneller; brothers, Ray, George and Sherm Kneller; and sister, Clela Richard.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016, from 4-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest next to his wife at Covington Memorial Gardens. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army and the Whitley County Korean Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given in his memory to Visiting Nurse Hospice Home or Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. To send Dutchs family online condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .