John H. Knochelmann Sr.

John H. Knochelmann, Sr., age 89, Crescent Springs, KY passed away on Monday, May 2nd 2016, surrounded by his wife and nine children.  Born in Covington, in 1926, he lived and worked most of his life in the Lewisburg neighborhood of Covington.  Attending St. John’s Catholic School, he later graduated from Covington Latin School and Xavier University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business.  He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia Ruth Knochelmann (Moore).  He was preceded in death by his first wife Melda Beatrice (Bea) Owens.  John worked at Procter & Gamble Co, worked in a consulting engineering firm in Covington, and retired in 1989 after a long career in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning business.  He was an owner in Knochelmann Plumbing, which was started by his brothers Richard and David Knochelmann.  John later sold that business to his sons and son-in-law.  His sons and other family members, presently own and work in the same field at Schneller Plumbing, Heating & Air. John was a loving father, and is survived by his nine children: Mary Kay Walker (Mike); Julie Bowen (Ric); Lisa Connor(Mark); Karen Gamel (Thomas); John Snowden (Barb); Carl Snowden(Stella); John Knochelmann Jr (Rhonda); Pete Knochelmann (Leslie); and Kris Knochelmann (Lisa), as well as 34 grand-children, 15 great-grand-children, and are expect four more.    As the patriarch of his family, he put high value on faith, education, hard work, duty to country, and commitment to community. He was the second of nine children of Carl and Marie Knochelmann.  He is survived by siblings Martha Bezold (Gene); Sr. Lea Marie Knochelmann S.N.D.; Rose Ann Lankisch (Paul); Ed Knochelmann (Lois); and David Knochelmann (Ginny).  He was preceded in death by siblings Carl E. Knochelmann (Rose); Joan Means (Harry); and Richard Knochelmann (Louise).  John and Pat enjoyed traveling and spent a period living in central Florida before returning home where all of their children reside.  He enjoyed reading and staying up on current events while enjoying his large family.  John was a U.S. Navy veteran where he served as an Aviation Ordnanceman, Second Class. He served his community as a board member of Redwood School in Ft. Mitchell, the NKY Serra Club for vocations, and founded the Academic Advancement Fund at his high school, Covington Latin School.  He also served his industry as local President of the NKY Master Plumber’s Association, as well as on the State Plumbing Contractors Association. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 PM, Saturday May 7, 2016 at St. Joseph Church, Crescent Springs with visitation before the mass from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the church.  Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery-Ft. Mitchell on Monday May 9, 2016 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covington Latin School for tuition assistance.  (21 E. 11th St., Covington, KY 41011).