George Franklin Knuckles

George Franklin Knuckles, son of the late Sterling Price Knuckles and Florence Ethel (Sconce) Knuckles was born on 24 January 1931 in Owls Bend, MO, and departed this life on 1 April 2026 at Cox Medical Hospital in Springfield, MO. At the time of his passing, he was 95 years, 2 months and 8 days old. George was united in marriage to Dorothy Crabtree on May 27, 1949, in Salem, Arkansas and to this union two children were born, both of whom have passed Gary George Knuckles and Donna Sue Ichord. George volunteered during the Korean War to serve in the United States Army Air Corps/Air Force for four years with service at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Republic of Korea and Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. George earned the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. After his military service George worked for the Department of State where he returned to the Republic of Korea as an advisor to the Korean Rock Army. Upon retiring from the Department of State, he began working as a maintenance man at Londeen’s Hardware & Furniture store in Chapman, Kansas. When he wasn’t working or being a loving father, he also could be found fishing and playing bluegrass music. George was a devout Christian all of his life; constantly reading and studying the Bible. George was preceded in death by his parents Sterling and Florence Knuckles; his son Gary Knuckles and daughter Donna Ichord; grandson Ernest Johnson; seven brothers, Wilber, Walter, John, Milo, Donald, Marvin and Robert “Bobby” Knuckles and five sisters, Pauline Allison, Wilma Tucker, Bernice Simpson, Genieve Clark and Virginia Sutton. George cherished his six grandchildren, Jennifer (Steven) Holden, Kim (Chad) Rutter, Ernie (Sonja) Johnson, Christine (Tim) Klockner, Angelica (Austin) Hendrix, and Hillary (David) Pantle; ten great-grandchildren, Audrey (Ryan) Relitz, Meagan & Nora Johnson, Morgan (Aaron) England, Samantha Rutter, Grace & Carly Klockner and Wesley, Lilly & Georgie Pantle and eight great-great grandchild, Levi, Laney and Lexi England, Rawlin and Sadie Jones and Ryker, Avery and Ember Relitz. George was a wonderful family man and a caring neighbor and friend to all. We celebrate his long and amazing life and know that his family and friends will treasure the incredible memories he made for them during his lifetime. Graveside services are scheduled for 10 am on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo.

George Franklin Knuckles

January 24, 1931 - April 1, 2026