Joseph Victor Knodell

Joseph Victor (Joe) Knodell, 78, of Creve Coeur, Missouri, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2024.  He was surrounded by his loving wife of 53 years, Donna Kingen Knodell, and his children.

Joe was born December 1, 1945, in Poplar Bluff to Victor and Fannie Knodell.  He grew up in Wappapello and graduated from Fisk-Rombauer High School, Arkansas State University, and Southeast Missouri State University.  On February 13, 1971, he married the love of his life, Donna, in Ellsinore, Missouri.

Joe had a long and distinguished career in public education, serving as a teacher, principal, and Superintendent of Schools in the East Carter and Twin Rivers school districts.  He served three terms as an elected member of the Three Rivers Community College Board of Trustees and was appointed by Governor Matt Blunt to serve on the Missouri State Board of Probation and Parole.  He lived many years in Ellsinore and Poplar Bluff and relocated to Creve Coeur in 2018.

Joe was a man of deep and abiding Christian faith, was an ordained Baptist deacon, and attended Westwood Baptist Church.  He loved southern gospel music, singing in groups with his family in his younger days, and later singing in numerous gospel quartets, most recently with the Gloryland Quartet of Paragould, Arkansas.  He treasured the opportunity to spend time in the outdoors, and especially duck hunting and golfing.  Joe truly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and seeing those students he had educated succeed in their lives.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Fannie Knodell, his brother, Tommy Knodell, and sister-in-law Joyce Hinkle Knodell.  He is survived by his wife, Donna Kingen Knodell of Creve Coeur, his son, Robert (Mandy) Knodell of Holts Summit, Missouri, and his daughter, Kristi (Brian) Gilmore of Allen, Texas.  He is survived by four grandchildren: Lauren Gilmore, Ashton Gilmore, and Caden Gilmore, all of Allen, Texas, and Sally Knodell of Holts Summit, Missouri, one sister-in-law, Barbara Kingen Alcorn of Poplar Bluff, and was excited to welcome his first great-grandchild, Carson Joseph Gilmore, this coming summer.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 6:00-8:00pm at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, March 7, 2024 starting at 11:00am at Westwood Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, MO

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Westwood Baptist Debt Retirement Fund.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Joseph Victor Knodell.

Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com