Donnie L. Knupp, Sr.

Donnie L. Knupp, Sr., age 77 of Franklin, KY, passed away Monday, September 22, 2025 at the Medical Center of Bowling Green in Bowling Green, KY. He was born on August 26, 1948 in Grand Tower, IL, the son of Robert and Dorothy (Reed) Knupp. He married Patricia A. Hughey on April 13, 1975. She preceded him in death on November 8, 2015.

Don is survived by his sons, Donnie (Kelly) Knupp, Jr. of Hendersonville, TN and Daniel (Michelle) Knupp of Kernersville, NC; grandchildren, Erika (Jeff) Kay, Emily (Landen) Hoagland, Ashley Trimble, Ethan, Max and Grace Knupp; great-grandchildren, Rowan, Finley and Noah Kay and Cooper and Emma Hoagland; longtime companion, Sue Glodo; siblings, Linda Wilson, Rita Raney, Pat Hart and Morty Knupp; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Knupp; parents, Robert and Dorothy Knupp; sister, Katherine Burdick; and brothers, Bobby, Jack, Doug and Virgil Knupp.

Don, along with his wife Pat, proudly operated Grand Tower Grocery from the early 1980's until 1996 bringing smiles to the small town they loved so much.  He then went on to finish his career as a crane operator, building bridges all over the world.  His largest bridge job came after Hurricane Katrina when he got the opportunity to help rebuild the I-10 Twin Span bridge over Lake Pontchartrain that connected Slidell to New Orleans, LA.

As a war veteran he was an active member of the VFW and enjoyed sharing his stories with other veterans as he travelled. A passionate fisherman, Don found peace and joy on the water.  Whether casting a line at dawn or sharing fishing tales with friends, those moments brought him closer to nature and to the people he loved most.  He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and kindness.  He will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren, friends, and other loved ones who had the privilege of knowing him. Though he may be gone from our sight, he will forever remain in our hearts-remembered for the love he gave, the laughter he inspired, and the life he so fully lived.

Funeral services for Donnie Knupp, Sr. will be held at 4:00 pm Friday, September 26, 2025 at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Mark Kirk officiating. Interment will follow in the Anna Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 2:00 pm until the service time at 4:00 pm Friday, September 26, 2025 at the funeral home. Graveside military honors will be conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the VFW and the Army Funeral Honors Team. Memorial contributions can be made to AMVETS. Envelopes are available at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home.