People of Influence Installment 4

Joann J. Knappmeyer

SPRINGFIELD - Joann J. Knappmeyer, 72, of Springfield died Sunday, April 16, 2006, at her home.

She was born May 22, 1933, in Petersburg, the daughter of Samuel and Carrie Hamilton Caswell. She married Al J. Knappmeyer in 1951 in Springfield.

Mrs. Knappmeyer was a homemaker and served as a Girl Scout leader for many years. She also volunteered at many places, including Springfield Manor Nursing Home and McClernand School.

Survivors: husband, Al; four sons, Joseph (wife, Kristy) Knappmeyer of Sherman, Samuel (wife, Rozanne) and Frank Knappmeyer, both of Springfield, and Daniel (wife, Michele) Knappmeyer of New Berlin; two daughters, Michelle Travis of Springfield and Dianna (husband, Michael) Ollis of Omaha, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers; and two sisters.

Services: 1 p.m. Thursday, Bisch and Son Funeral Home, the Rev. Tom Holinga officiating. Burial: Oak Ridge Cemetery.


Joann was my Scoutmaster's wife. I knew her through scouting. I could see how much she loved Mr. Knappmeyer and how that love and support helped him to be the best Scoutmaster he could be for us. Godspeed Joann.

People of Influence Installment 3

Robert Francis "RT" Tracy

Unfortunately I never knew RT when he was healthy. By the time I met him, Alzheimers had taken away many of the things that older employees would talk about. I do know about his legacy. RT started what is now Dot Foods, Inc. out of the family station wagon almost 50 years ago. Now his vision and persistance have led to a $2.2 Billion per year company.

Because of his work building the company, he was also able to build the community of Mt. Sterling. Not many communities the size of Mt. Sterling can boast a YMCA or an employer as large as Dot.

People of Influence Installment 2

Julio Carmen Viola

Otherwise known to me as Grandpa. I remember him taking me up to the KC Hall as they were building the new addition and letting me see the construction equipment. I remember him on the couch as we watched the Cubs on TV. He may have closed his eyes, but he was watching that! I never got the chance to really know Grandpa when he was alive, but everytime someone calls me a little Julio at the KC or talks about him at the club I learn more about who he was and how important he was to the people that knew him. Someday the Cubs will win the World Series again and I know that he'll be watching right along with Harry and the rest of them.

People of Influence Installment 1

Louis J "Moose" Maurer Jr

Louis was one of my Assistant Scoutmasters when I was in Boy Scouts. I still remember my first meeting showing up and him getting me involved immediately in the wood carving merit badge that the scouts were working on. From then on he took me under his wing. Home sickness was a problem for me when it came time for scout camp, but he just boohooed back at me and told me he missed his mommy too. He made me laught and things were good.

Louis continued to help me through scouts and into the Order of the Arrow. He never achieved Eagle Scout himself, but I believe through how he helped me to achieve Eagle that he did. Towards the end he was very sick and I didn't see him much, but it meant a lot to me and I believe to him also that he was able to make it from the VA hospital to my Eagle Scout ceremony.

Unfortunately it wasn't too long after that I was standing as an honor guard to his coffin at the funeral home. Good job Louis and thanks for everything.