Donald E. Knollmeyer, 89, Bonnots Mill, passed away peacefully Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hopsital in Columbia.
He was born Jan. 18, 1934, to the late Francis and Antoinette (Haar) Knollmeyer in Jefferson City.
He graduated from St. George Catholic Grade School in Linn in 1947 and attended Linn High School and later graduated from St. Peter’s Catholic High School in 1951. After high school Don attended Jefferson City Junior College while working at the lumber and hardware store in Linn, known as Scruggs Guhleman Knollmeyer, Inc. He spent a year at St. Benedict College in Atchison, Kan. and graduated in 1955 from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.
Don worked a short time for Knollmeyer Lumber and Hardware in Dixon until his friends and neighbors requested his service to his country in the U. S. Army. He was drafted and after finishing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, was assigned to the 55th Field Artillery Battalion mostly headquarter Battery. This battalion gyroscoped from Fort Sill in Oklahoma to Fliegerhorst, Germany. After 17 months in Germany, Don completed and returned to the United States for inactive duty and Honorable Discharge.
He was united in marriage to Jeanne M. Fausell Feb. 13, 1960, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Jefferson City.
In 1962, Don inaugurated the ready-mix concrete plant in Linn, which is now known as Osage County Concrete. After he sold the concrete business, he went to work as a doorkeeper for the Missouri House of Representatives, retiring in 2018, after 25 years of service.
Don served as President of the Missouri Ready Mix Concrete Association and as past president of the Linn Lions Club. He was a member of St. Louis of France Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill, where he served on the parish council, was a member of the Retailin Club at the U.D. in Dayton and was a member of the Linn Volunteer Fire Department.
Don enjoyed working with his rose bushes, cleaning, doing his lawnmower therapy and camping. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and friends.
Don was preceded in death by parents, Francis and Antoinette; and brothers, Francis, John and Jerome Knollmeyer.
He is survived by wife of 63 years, Jeanne; daughters, Denise Frey of Rhineland, Dianne Bisges and husband Gary of Wardsville, Donna Knollmeyer of Taos and Darla Iven and husband Roger of Jefferson City; grandchildren, Gabe Bisges, Dara Heidbreder, Jenna Thompson, Sara McDaniel, Holly Kleffner and Will Thoenen; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Nov. 7, at St. Louis of France Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill with Rev. Anthony Rinaldo officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors followed at St. Louis of France Parish Cemetery in Bonnots Mill.
Memorial contributions suggested to St. Louis of France Parish Cemetery Fund.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
