Raymond "Ray" Theodore Kniepmann

Ray was born in the farming community of Germantown, Illinois on July 26, 1927. He was raised on his parents farm during the Great Depression and early part of World War II. Like many of his peers, he left school early to begin working, and eventually served in the armed services. Survived by two sisters and preceded in death by four brothers. Ray was married to Helen, his wife of almost 55 years, on February 7, 1956. Together, they left the rural southern Illinois communities where they were both raised, and moved to St. Louis, Missouri. They raised a family of 4 children, Mark, Ken, Kathy and Joe. During those years of raising children, Ray was active in his children's lives. He had a particular love of baseball, and it was always a special treat when the family headed off to Busch stadium to watch the Cardinals from the right field bleachers. The boys, of course, all played baseball, and he loved to coach their teams. As the kids grew a little older, and football came to St. Louis, Sunday morning mass, followed by donuts and football became a winter tradition. This tradition of gathering to watch football endured right up until the last few years, when Ray's eyesight made it hard for him to enjoy watching TV. Raising a family on a laborer's wages was not easy in those early days, so life in the Kniepmann household was not an extravagant affair. Ray loved to be outside, so working in the yard was a favorite pastime. Weekend trips to his and Helen's parents farms almost always resulted in a long walk after dinner for Ray, and whichever of the kids he could get to go along. After moving to St. Louis, Ray and Helen became long-time parishioners at St. Mary's Parish in Bridgeton. Ray helped with the parish homecoming and census, volunteered as an extraordinary minister and participated in small church communities. After moving to Florida in 199?, Ray's failing health limited his participation to small church community and Eucharistic Adoration. While the last few years were particularly difficult for Ray because of health issues, his life is defined by who he was, and what he leaves as his posterity. He lived his life as a man of faith, and faithfulness. His loving fidelity to his wife, Helen, and their children, was always his top priority. He always seemed to have a warm smile and a kind word to share. What he leaves as his posterity is what he has already given us- love that provided safety from the ravages of a broken world, true strength that was lived out in integrity and fidelity, and a sweetness of soul that derives from deep and abiding faith. Visitation will be at Beach Funeral Home at 4999 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne, Friday, January 28 from 6-8 pm, with vigil at 7:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne on Saturday, January 29 at 11:30 am. A memorial service will be held in Germantown Illinois, Saturday, February 12, @ 11a.m.