Kathy Jo Knapp

Kathy Jo Knapp, 69 years old, passed away at 10:58 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2020 at her home.  Mrs. Knapp was born on September 19, 1950 in Mishawaka to the late Hugh and Juanita (Thuys) Garman.  She has remained a lifelong resident of South Bend.  On May 9, 1970 in Mishawaka, Kathy Jo and John W. Knapp, Jr. were united in marriage.

Along with her loving husband, John, of 50 years, she is survived by their five children, Toby Ann Knapp, John W. (Yvonne Snyder) Knapp, III, Bobbie Jo (Jesse) Covington, Susan Kay Knapp, and Lori (Brad) Mitchell, all of South Bend; seven grandchildren, Emily Jo (Michael) Smith, Olivia (Karise) Stevens, Haven Knapp, John W. Knapp, IV, Jesse Covington, II, Sammy Winters, Jr., and Mary Winters; and two great grandchildren, Maddy and Michael.  Mrs. Knapp is also survived by two sisters and three brothers, Tammy (Mark) Patterson, Virginia (Manuel) Palmerin, Tom (Nancy) Garman, Craig (the late Debbie) Garman, and Randy (Diane) Garman, all of Mishawaka.  Along with her parents, one sister and one brother preceded her in death, Penny Nelson and Michael Garman.

Kathy worked as a waitress at Big Bear and Holiday Inn before retiring from Honkers.  She was well loved and well liked by her customers.  Kathy enjoyed fishing, scratch off Lotto, going to the casino, and cooking for her family.  Kathy was a wonderful cook and passed her cooking skills along to her girls.  Kathy made the best homemade fried chicken and lamb and spaghetti, a family dish. 

Kathy was a naturally beautiful woman and did not wear any cosmetics except her penciled eyebrows. She always reminded her girls to make sure that her eyebrows were penciled on just as she would have them at her funeral.  Per her request, she will be laid to rest with her penciled eyebrows.

As Kathy’s health began declining, her husband John, cared for her and doted on her. He loved her more than anything in the world. She was his entire world. Kathy would often say how much she loved him and that he was good to her and she wouldn’t be able to make it without him. John is left with a broken heart but he knows someday they will be together again. Kathy is loved and missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2020 at the Palmer Funeral Home-Bubb Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, IN.  Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN.  Friends may visit with the family from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Kathy Jo Knapp may be donated to Forestbrook Missionary Church, 52500 Forestbrook, South Bend, IN  46637.  Online condolences may be offered to the Knapp family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.