Carl Wayne Gray Genealogies

Knowles, Leonard C.

Knowles, Leonard C.

Male 1927 - 2016  (88 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Knowles, Leonard C. 
    Birth 8 Nov 1927  Clay County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Male 
    Reference Number KNOW.L003 
    _FGRAVE 167870949 
    Military Service World War II, Sergeant, 9207th Transportation Service Unit, United States Army  [2
    Brochure, World War II Memorial, Flora, Illinois, Nov 11, 2007

    On Veterans' Day, 2005, the city of Flora, Illinois dedicated a memorial to all known Clay County, Illinois World War II Veterans.

    Located on the south side of the city library, this is a copy of the brochure honoring that event.

    This 2007 brochure adds a matrix for locating the memorial brick that was laid in honor of each veteran. …
    United States of America Flag, 48 Stars (1912-1959)

    In 1912, two stars were added to the United States flag, representing Arizona and New Mexico, bringing the total number of stars to 48. They were arranged in six rows of eight stars each. American fighting men would fight under this flag during four wars: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the beginning of the Vietnam War. (In 1959,…
    United States Army
    Sergeant, United States Army and United States Army Air Fores


    (Sep 1942-Aug 1948)


    NOTE: The three stripe Sergeant Insignia was not used during the Korean War

    United States Army Enlisted Rank Insignia
    World War II
    (1939-1945)
    World War II Honoree, Knowles, Leonard C. (1927-2016)
    World War II Honoree, Knowles, Leonard C. (1927-2016)
    Death 5 Aug 2016  Deaconess Hospital, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery, Flora, Clay County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Headstone, Knowles, Leonard C and Doris Y
    Headstone, Knowles, Leonard C and Doris Y


    Displayed with permission of Lady in Black

    Person ID I42188  Carl Wayne Gray Research
    Last Modified 18 Jul 2023 

    Father Knowles, John,   b. 30 Jan 1901, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 19 Apr 1964 (Age 63 years) 
    Mother Ruger, Besse Jane 'Bessie',   b. 5 Sep 1899, Clay County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Jan 1998, Flora Healthcare Center, Flora, Clay County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 98 years) 
    Marriage 1923  [1, 3
    Family ID F9803  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Keck, Doris Y.,   b. 1927   d. 2017 (Age 90 years) 
    Marriage Y  [4
    Family ID F18069  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 8 Nov 1927 - Clay County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 5 Aug 2016 - Deaconess Hospital, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Floral Garden of Memories Cemetery, Flora, Clay County, Illinois Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • Leonard C. Knowles, 88, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Friday, August 5, 2016 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN.

      Leonard was born the middle son of John and Besse (Ruger) Knowles on Tuesday, November 8, 1927, in Louisville, Illinois. Leonard proudly served in the United States Army from August 7, 1946 until December 5, 1954. He married his wife of 67 years, Doris Y. (Keck) Knowles on Sunday, December 5, 1948, at Sailor Springs Christian Church in Sailor Springs, Illinois.

      Leonard worked for Country Companies from 1960 through 1988 as an Agency Manager. He belonged to the Rotary Club and the MCHS Sports Boosters club, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed attending Warrior basketball games and Mt. Carmel High School Football Games. He loved traveling with his wife, Doris. Leonard was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Mt. Carmel.

      Left to cherish his memories is his wife, Doris; one niece, Jean Ann Pelzer, sister-in-law, Wilma Knowles, and a cousin Ulanda Ruger Bryan.

      Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Billie H. Knowles of Sailor Springs, Illinois and James E. Knowles of Nashville, Tennessee.

      Visitation will be Monday August 8, 2016 from 4 to 7 pm in the chapel of Short Funeral Home.

      Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 10:30 am in the Chapel of Short Funeral Home with burial immediately following at the Floral Garden of Memories in Clay County.

      Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

      Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Leonard’s family.

  • Sources 
    1. [S2319] Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census, Pixley Township, Clay County, Illinois, District 13-18, image 17, page 9a, (https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/2442/M-T0627-00769-00441?backurl=https%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fsearch%2fdb.as) (Reliability: 2).

    2. [S14872] World War II Honoree, Leonard C. Knowles, (https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=2210850) (Reliability: 2).

    3. [S15790] https://www.findagrave.com, Headstone, Knowles, Besse and John, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20432437/john-knowles), none. (Reliability: 2).

    4. [S14649] http://www.findagrave.com, Obituary, Knowles, Bessie Jane, 98, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20432431/besse-jane-knowles), none. (Reliability: 2).