Alfred H. Knebel

Alfred H. Knebel, 89, of Oklahoma City, OK, formerly Pierron, IL, went to be with the Lord on July 3, 2018.

Al was born May 23, 1929, near Pierron, IL to Walter W. Knebel and Lena Catherine Spengel. While in college, he met Ellen Stratmann in Highland, IL, and they married in 1953 in St. Louis, MO.

Raised on a dairy farm, he was no stranger to hard work. He graduated from St. Paul High School in Highland, IL in 1946. He joined the Army shortly after WWII as an X-ray technician and served for just under two years. After his service, he attended the University of Illinois, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering in 1952. He later obtained a master's degree in engineering administration at Washington University in St. Louis. After college, he went to work for Mallinckrodt Chemical Works in St. Louis, where he was involved in enriching uranium for the U.S. government. He then went to work for Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation, which brought him to Oklahoma, where he remained for the remainder of his career and life. For Kerr-McGee, he also worked in the chemical division and finally, in the technical division. He lived in Muskogee as well as Oklahoma City finishing his career at the iconic Kerr-McGee building downtown. The many projects he managed for Kerr-McGee took him around the world, including Korea, Japan and Botswana as well as much of the U.S. Travel was one of his great passions, and he and Ellen have been to numerous countries on six continents. He also enjoyed the American West, traveling with the family in a pop-up camper.

He was a lifelong Catholic and attended St. Eugene Church, where he had been a parishioner since 1967. He was passionate about helping others, donating his time to St. Eugene's as a leader in the very active senior's group for 20 years. He also volunteered preparing taxes for seniors with AARP Tax-Aide and driving mobile meals for many years. Throughout his life, he maintained close ties to his brothers and sisters with a family reunion every year at Table Rock Lake in Missouri.

Al is survived by his wife, Ellen; daughter, Ann (Mark) Carter, of Fairfield, CA; sons, James Knebel, of Oklahoma City, OK, John Knebel of Enid, OK, and Robert (Kelly) Knebel, of Camas, WA; grandchildren, Ryan Carter and Sarah Carter, Madison Langford, and Nicole Murillo; brother, John (Marie) Knebel; sister-in-law, Dottie Knebel (married to William).

He was preceded in death by brothers, Donald, William, and Thomas; sisters, Celeste and Dolores ( and her husband Elmer Blasco); and brother John's first wife, Dorothy.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Eugene Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial was held July 6, 2018 at St. Eugene Catholic Church, Oklahoma City, OK.

Graveside Services will be Saturday, September 15, 2018, 11:00 am, at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Highland, IL

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL