Eugene F. "Bud" Knoke

Eugene F. "Bud" Knoke, 95, of Waterloo, IL, died May 11, 2025, in Waterloo, IL. He was born June 6, 1929, in St. Louis, MO.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years Gloria A. Knoke (nee Schutt); children Jane (Bill) Schmitt, Tom (Cathy) Knoke, Jim (Renee) Knoke, Gina Knoke, Elise (Joe) Deeken, Mary Lee Knecht; grandchildren Sarah, Jessica, & John Henry Schmitt, Amy & Eli Knoke, Emma & Elsa Knoke, Tessa, Avery, & Gray Matzen, Michaela, Hannah, & Kathryn Finnerty, and George & Sam Knecht; 7 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law Dale Schutt and Jean Schutt; nieces; nephews; cousins; and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Philip Knoke and Marie Antoinette "Nettie" Kipping & step father Ray Vogt; sister Jeannette Kelly; father-in-law & mother-in-law Edward & Talida Schutt; sister-in-law LaVerne Schutt; brothers-in-law Ken Kelly and Willard Schutt.

Bud was born on the eve of the Great Depression and lived through the multitude of American eras since. His father died when he was just three years old. His mother worked in St. Louis, so Bud and his sister spent their early years in Waterloo with their Grandparents. Everyone around town knew Bud. He could often be found roaming on his bike and doing odd jobs for local merchants. He turned 15 years old the day the Allies landed on Normandy Beach. Three years later, he was 6’6’’ tall and the star of the Waterloo High School basketball team. He had the honor of being inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Bud married his wonderful wife, Gloria, in the early 1950's, and began his lifelong career as a builder and master woodworker. His skill and craftsmanship building custom homes and furniture are widely known around Monroe County and even across the country. He passed along his trade to his sons Tom and Jim who chose to follow in his footsteps. The Knoke name is now synonymous with excellent workmanship.

Bud was a mentor, a kloepper player, a prankster, a stubborn German and a great friend to many. His special gift to his children and grandchildren was to instill in them the value of hard work, the need to care for each other, and the love of a good adventure.

Bud will be remembered as a large man with a big heart and a small truck — a man larger than life itself.

Donations in his honor can be made to Clifftop, preserving the natural beauty of Monroe County, or Maeystown Preservation Society, preserving its history.

No services are planned at this time.