Jimmy D. “Snapper” Knapp

Jimmy D. "Snapper" Knapp, 74, of rural Metamora, Ill., passed away at 11:33 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in the emergency room of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill.

He was born on Feb. 12, 1941, in Woodward, Okla., the son of YuVonne O. and Mescal A. Huen Knapp. He married Janice F. Carrico on Nov. 26, 1966, in Paducah, Ky.

Surviving are his wife and two daughters, Kimberly (Thomas) Dempsey of St. Peters, Mo., and Shawna (Kevin) Collins of Washington, Ill; one granddaughter, Cadence Dempsey; and two halfbrothers, W.R. Lutz of Carson City, Nev., and Jake Lutz of Victoria, Texas.

One sister, Marilyn Prokop, and one half brother, Don Lutz, preceded him in death.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving his country starting in 1963, being honorably discharged in 1965. He worked as a structural ironworker and was an assistant business agent for 35 years with Local 112 in East Peoria before retiring in 2001.

Jimmy attended auctioneer school in Iowa. He donated his time to Ducks Unlimited and the Mennonite Relief Sale. He was also an announcer at various events over the years including the Illinois State Fair, Heart of Illinois Fair, horse shows, horse races and truck and tractor pulls.

Jimmy was a member of Hilton Masonic Lodge 1143 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria as well as a member of Mohamed Shrine Temple, both in Peoria.

Jimmy had many accomplishments in his life, including earning his private pilot's license in the late 1960s.

Services were held Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, at Mason Funeral Home in Germantown Hills.

Burial was at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Ill., with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name to Illinois Cancer Care, Illinois Neurological Institute of Central Illinois or Spring Bay American Legion. Notes of condolences may be sent using www.masonfuneralhomes. com.