Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 14, Jones Eden Funeral Home, Washington. Visitation: Noon Wednesday, May 13, funeral home, family will meet friends 5-7 p.m.

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa —Richard A.  Knupp, 86, Columbus Junction, formerly of Washington, died Friday May 8, 2009, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington following a lengthy illness.

The Rev. Al Coffin will officiate.

Military honors will be conducted by Washington American Legion Post No. 29.  Private family interment will take place at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Camp Courageous or Hospice of Washington County.  Online condolences may be sent at www.jonesfh.com

Mr. Knupp was born June 12, 1922, in Washington, the son of Cloyde and Minnie (Jackson) Knupp.  He graduated from Washington High School and later attended Junior College in Long Beach, Calif. and Washington. 

He married Virginia E. Wylie, in Washington Aug. 29, 1947.  She died Dec. 7, 1994.  He was later married to Betty Thompson on Nov. 25, 1995, in Columbus Junction.

He lived most of his life in Washington County where he farmed in Cedar Township north of Washington.   He and his wife Virginia owned and operated Prairie Corner Antiques for 15 years. 

He served as a trustee at the Washington County Hospital for 12 years where he was chairman for four years.  He also served many years on the board at Systems Unlimited. 

He was a progressive and innovative farmer and raised Pioneer Seed Corn for many years. 

He was a veteran of WW II having served in the Marine Corps. 

He was a member of the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church. 

He is survived by his wife, Betty Knupp of Columbus Junction; a daughter, Jackie Ross and friend, Duane Hammen of Washington; a daughter, Marsha Steele of Des Moines; sons, Marc Knupp and wife, Mary Ann, Washington, Zeus Knupp and wife, Jackie of Washington; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.three stepchildren, Linda Crawford and husband, Dan of Lawrence, Kan., Keith Cutkomp and wife, Barb, Ainsworth and Cindy Scott and husband, James of Hiawatha;  eight stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Marie Knupp, Martha Witthoft and husband, Art, Donna Wheelan and husband, Mike; brother-in-law Harold Wylie and wife, Verlee, all of Washington; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Virginia in 1994; two brothers, Stanley and Wayne Knupp and a son-in-law, Tony Ross.