Duane Charles Knapp

Duane Charles Knapp, 92, of St. Joe, Ar. passed away on January 10th, 2022.  He was born March 12th, 1929 in Union City, Michigan, the son of Charles and Glee (Hart) Knapp and the husband of Phyllis Frances (Arthur) Knapp.

Duane served in the United States Army from 1954 until 1956, stationed in Germany.  Duane married Frances Arthur on November 2, 1956 in Angola, Indiana. They had three sons, Ronnie, Doug, and Terry.  They built a happy life of 65 years together. They lived and farmed in Michigan for several years before moving to Arkansas in 1977 to continue farming.

Duane worked hard all of his life. This began as a necessity at age 12 but became a standard for his lifetime.  He expected and admired the hard work of others. Duane dreamed of being a farmer.  He succeeded in this dream, growing his farm and family in his home state of Michigan. There, Duane, Frances, and their three boys raised milk cattle, beef cattle, hogs, soy crops, wheat crops, and hay. After moving to St. Joe, Ar. they continued farm work raising Holsteins on their dairy farm. Duane continues to raise hogs for several years as well. Later he moved on from dairy cattle to raising beef cattle. He worked in his hayfields all these years. Duane couldn’t wait to get back into the hayfields.

Duane loved his family and enjoyed their visits.  He loved teasing as much as others loved teasing him.  He also enjoyed going to town to visit friends while having coffee or lunch.  Through the years you could often spot his truck at a diner or restaurant along the road to town.

Duane was deeply loved by his family and will be missed by all.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Glee Knapp, one brother, Roland, two sisters, Ellen Marie Brown and Frances Knapp.

Duane is survived by his wife Frances (Arthur) of the home, their three sons, Ronnie Knapp, also of the home, Doug (Autumn) Knapp, and Terry (Regina) Knapp of St. Joe, grandchildren, Michele (Terry) Walker, Nathan (Heather) Knapp, Erin (Josh) Bray, Kason (Ashley) Knapp, Kelcey (Kaytie) Knapp, Jordan Surett, Corynn (Paul) Wells, and twenty great grandchildren.  Duane is also survived by one brother, Leslie, of Michigan, sister-in-law Olive Cash of Clarksville, sister-in-law Marylin Ledbetter of West Fork, brother and sister -in-law Walter and Jerrie Arthur of St. Joe and many nieces and nephews. 

A private service was held on January 13th, 2022, with Terry Knapp officiant. 

Honorary pallbearers are Nathan Knapp, Kason Knapp, Kelcey Knapp, Jordan Surett, Paul Well, Terry Walker, Wayne Crunkleton, Greg Hudspeth, Josh Bray, and Richard (Peeps) Matlock.