James Michael Knoll, 80

James Michael Knoll, 80, "went home to be with his Lord and Savior" on Sunday, March 18, 2007, at the home of his son in Whitefish. He was born Aug. 6, 1926, in Tacoma, Wash., the son of Walter and Esther (Hart) Knoll.

He served in the U.S. Army from Dec. 9, 1944, until March 1946, during which he was involved in the Philippines liberation and the occupation of Japan.

After his service discharge, he returned to Chehalis, Wash., where he met and married Lorraine King in June 1948.

He resumed his job as an auto mechanic for the next 32 years, in the Chehalis area, where he enjoyed carpentry, and most of all teaching his family the love of music, playing piano and guitar as well as worshipping the Lord.

James was loved by his family and will always be remembered as a great example and father. He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, LaVaun; two brothers, Kenneth and Russell; and two grandsons, Caleb and Matthew.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Knoll, of Kalispell; five sons, Michael Knoll and wife, Gail, of Whitefish, Lawrence Knoll and wife, Dana, of Kalispell, Tim Knoll and wife, Kay, of Kalispell, Christopher Knoll and wife, Clariece, of Centralia, Wash., and Nathan Knoll and wife, Brenda, of Marion; and five daughters, Inis Baker and husband, Tom, of Lafayette, Ind., Joan Pedersen and husband, Wayne, of Centralia, Mary Husted and husband, Paul, of Kalispell, and Mamie Goodwin and husband, Dennis, and Judy Roose, all of Whitefish; a brother, Richard Knoll, of Entiat, Wash.; and a sister, Donna Kitchen, of Euphrata, Wash. He also left a legacy of 33 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for James will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 22, at the Cornerstone Community Church (formerly Northridge Heights Church of God), 1970 U.S. 93 N., with pastors Larry Lautaret and Mark Foreman officiating.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for James' family.