Surnames: Ahlers, Bunkelman, Gallistel, Knippel, Meyer, Neumann, Rezutek, Rubeck

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, September 8, 2011, online edition

Knippel, Leon "Rip" H. (September 18, 1924 - September 4, 2011)

Leon "Rip" H. Knippel, 86, Medford, died on Sunday, Sept. 4 at Memorial Nursing and Rehab Center in Medford, where he resided the past 2-1/2 months.

Cremainal interment will be at Perkinstown Community Cemetery in the Town of Grover.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements.

Leon Knippel was born on September 18, 1924 in Medford to the late Jacob and Minnie (Neumann) Knippel. He attended Medford area elementary schools and was a 1942 graduate of Medford High School.

On January 26, 1957 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Medford, he married Geneva Meyer, who survives.

He worked at Hurd Millwork in Medford until entering the United States Army and served during World War II. After the service, he returned to Hurd Millwork where he worked until retirement in 1991.

He was a lifetime member of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 1025, where he served as financial secretary for many years. He enjoyed bowling, woodworking, bird watching and his cats.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, James (Debra) of Medford; a daughter, Ann (William) Rezutek of Madison; two sisters, Darlene Bunkelman of Marshfield and Lorelei (Melvin) Rubeck of Mission Hills, Calif.; a brother Darrell (Naomi) of Fairfax, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Marjorie Knippel of Yuma, Ariz., and Irene Knippel of Medford; four grandchildren, Preston and Emerson Knippel, and Alexander and Amanda Rezutek; two step-grandchildren, Sadie Ahlers and Gene Gallistel; and two step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Melvin, Algernon and Clyde.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.