David L. ‘Chief’ Knispel

He was born May 10, 1937, in Appleton, Wis., son of the late Lester and Bea Knispel. David grew up and attended school in Appleton. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. David joined the Aircraft Division as a sheet metal worker in Le Toro, Calif. He then went to work for Central Delivery, out of Appleton, before spending the next 30-plus years working as an over-the-road driver at 4 Way Express in Appleton. He married Patty Stoegbauer on April 21, 1977.

David was a wonderful, loving husband, cowboy, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and was always wishing he had more time to spend with his family. He was an avid hunter, especially bear, and would bait so that others could see and hunt them. David also enjoyed deer hunting and fishing, especially with John.

David is survived by his loving wife, Patty, who devoted all her time to make his life a little easier; his daughters, Bonnie Fritsch and Susan (Pete) Fahrenkrug; stepdaughter Connie (Darwyn) Dillard; sister Judy (Fred) Hiembruch; sister-in-law Rosemary (Mequel) Delarosa; brother-in-law Fred (Pamela) Blank; and numerous grandchildren, stepgrandchildren, great-grandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren. David is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Tristin Fahrenkrug; stepchildren John Stoegbauer and Lori Ortega; stepgrandson Cory Ortega; stepnephew Marc Stelter; and his precious dog, Elly.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at First Presbyterian Church in Florence. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m., with an outside military honors immediately following. A luncheon will be served upon completion of the military honors.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to David’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Florence to honor David’s legacy of life.