Carmon B. Knepper, 82, a lifelong resident of Montpelier passed away Friday evening at Evergreen Manor Nursing Home in Montpelier. He was born on August 31, 1932 in Montpelier to Harry L. and Asalsia C. (Brown) Knepper. Carmon graduated Montpelier High School, and during his school years worked on the railroad. He then went on to serve his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Alaska.
For many years he worked at Challenge Cook Brothers in Bryan and Winzeler’s Stamping Company in Montpelier as a tool and die maker. Carmon was a very accomplished Tool and Die maker. This was evident in his own home workshop where he amassed some of the finest machines to hone his craft. He enjoyed repairing and building custom items during his retirement years and became a self taught gun smith.
Carmon was an avid outdoorsman and especially liked to hunt and fish. Over the years he went on many traveling trips especially to Canada with family and friends. In 2008, he and Joe Altaffer completed a 2800 mile canoeing trip that started at James Bay, Canada and ended in Mobile, Alabama at the Gulf of Mexico. “Paddle across America” was the name given to the adventure that started with the help of several friends back in 1986.
He was a lifetime member of the NRA for over 50 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Jody (Al) Bidlack of Pioneer and Nancy (Steve) Beirl of Dewey, Arizona; one son Matthew (Bridget) Knepper of Auburn, Indiana; one sister Marilyn (Erv) Meinhardt of Lyndhurst, Ohio; four grandchildren, Seth, Katie, Eli and Wyatt Knepper; and many nieces and nephews.
Carmon was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Lyle, Daryl, Maynard, Adrian and Nathaniel Knepper.
A time to receive friends for Carmon will be Thursday, March 5th from 4-8pm, at the Thompson Funeral Home on Main Street in Montpelier. A private interment with be held at Riverside Cemetery in Montpelier with Graveside military rites conducted by the Montpelier Veterans. Donations may be made to the Williams County Veterans Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.thethompsonfuneralhome.com