Rex Knobloch

Rex A. Knobloch was a kind and loving man, known for his big heart, for his endearing charm and his joy of life. He was the kind of man who cared for everyone he knew, and he expressed this care through his generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand. Although many people will miss having Rex as a close friend, he will be held in special reverence by those who knew him as a devoted father, proud grandfather and special companion.

Times were hard in the United States in 1930, unemployment rates were high and spirits were low as many American families tried to stretch their dollars in order to survive the Great Depression. For Martin and Doris (Kietzman) Knobloch of Kalamazoo, Michigan, however, it was a time of great joy for their family as they welcomed the birth of their son, Rex Allen, on January 5, 1930. Rex was one of six children with two brothers, Jack and Dale, and three sisters, Norma, Ruth and Joanne. He led a typical childhood growing up in Kalamazoo and attended the area schools.

After graduating high school in 1948, Rex followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served as a Medic while stationed in California. On August 9, 1954, Rex married the love of his life, Bobby, and they spent the next 40 years together, raising their two children, Nicki and Dan, and sharing many wonderful memories as a family. Sadly, Bobby passed away in 1994.

With a strong work ethic, Rex spent his life balancing hard work with being a good husband and father. He owned his own flooring business for many years but also worked a variety of other jobs, including as a truck driver for Cadillac Overhaul (where he was a member of the Teamster Union), a meter collector for the City of Kalamazoo, and a delivery man for a health food company. In addition, Rex was a member of the Kalamazoo Sheriff Posse in the horseback division.

Rex was such a happy-go-lucky guy, who loved to sing at church and play his harmonica for everyone’s listening pleasure. At one time, he raised horses and was involved with their training and of course, riding them. Rex had a natural social talent that always left people charmed and smiling, especially the ladies. He was true, however, to his significant other, Barb Horne, who he shared a life with for 10 years until she passed away. In time, Rex found love again with Shirley Oom, and they truly enjoyed each other’s company. Shirley cared for Rex until he went to live in the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans last October, but then surprised him with a 75th birthday party with all his friends and family. Rex was so very happy!

Rex had many interests and activities to keep him busy in his leisure time. He was an avid bowler on various leagues and with friends, and often hit the links with his buddy for a round of golf. His favorite pastime, however, was hitting the open road for a leisure drive to no where in particular. In fact, Rex, Shirley and their neighbors, Bud and Joyce, took a road trip every day, sometimes as far as Indiana or Ohio. Whatever their destination, Rex loved to see the farms with the all the different kinds of animals out in the fields. Meanwhile, every January, his travels took him to sunny Florida to visit with family (and to get away from the snow).

When you try to define the sort of person Rex was to his family and friends, you imagine someone who is an all around good person, who loves his life and his family, who always makes himself available when he is needed. This is how Rex will be remembered, as a man whose deeds and actions spoke volumes of his character. He will be greatly missed.

Rex Allen Knobloch, age 82, of Kalamazoo, MI died on Thursday, January 19, 2012. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 27, at 12:00 noon with visitation 1 hour prior at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo; 375-2900. Interment at Hope Cemetery.

Rex was preceded in death by his brothers, Jack and Dale, and sisters, Norma and Ruth. He is survived by his daughter, Nicki Braun with her children, Ashley and Victori; son, Dan (Ginny) Knobloch with their children, Eric, Dusty and Shea; a sister, Joanne (Frank) Koss; and girlfriend, Shirley Oom. Please visit Rex’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a thought with his family and sign his online guest book.