Steven Bernard Knapke

Steven Bernard Knapke, 73, of Sharpsburg, Ohio, passed away early Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at his residence, with his loved ones by his side.

He was born on April 6, 1949, in Celina, Ohio, to the late Sylvester and M. Lucille (Sonderman) Knapke.

Steve is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dorothy (Brunswick) Knapke, whom he married on September 18, 1971 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sharpsburg; his children, Joe (Kim) Knapke, of Fort Recovery, Ben (Tracy) Knapke, of Fort Recovery, Paul (Amy) Knapke, of Maria Stein, Charlie (Melissa) Knapke of Cincinnati, Michelle (Mark) Ashman of Maria Stein, Liz (Matt) Schmitmeyer of Versailles, and Mark Knapke of Fort Recovery; 26 grandchildren with one on the way; his siblings, Ken (Pat) Knapke of Fort Recovery, Dave (Kelly) Knapke of Richmond, Indiana, Dan (Susan) Knapke of Clayton, Ohio, Karen (Brian) Laycock of Tipp City, Ohio. Steve is also survived by his in-laws, Wanda (Rich) Fullenkamp, Marilyn (Tom) Bubp, Margaret (Virgil) Franck, Ruth Ann Brunswick, Cindy (Bill) Snyder and Linda Knapke.

In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Knapke; brother-in-law, Ben Brunswick; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Beth (Mike) Wuebker; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mark and Emma Brunswick.

Steve was a 1967 graduate of Fort Recovery High School. He attended the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering in 1971. Steve worked for General Motors in Dayton for 9 years. He then returned home to continue dairy farming for the next 40 years.

Steve was a devout Catholic and had a strong devotion for the Divine Mercy. He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, a part of the choir for 40 years, and a member of the men's sodality. Steve enjoyed listening to the Cincinnati Reds, rooting on the Fort Recovery Indians, and watching the UD Flyers. He loved spending time with his grandchildren on the farm. Above all, Steve's faith and family were the most important things to him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 10, 2022, at St. Paul's Catholic Church with Father Michael Kapokla celebrating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Guest may visit on Sunday, October 9, 2022. from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again on Monday from 9:00 AM until 9:45 AM at Brockman Boeckman Funeral Home in Fort Recovery.

The family request that memorial contributions be given to the Mercer County Right to Life, Alzheimer's Association or EverHeart Hospice.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.