Carl J. Knerr

Herrin- Carl J. Knerr of Herrin passed away at home at 1:45am on January 11, 2007. He was a former vice president of Norge Washers, a division of Maytag. He was 91. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Kathleen Welge Knerr, his daughter Karleen and son-in-law John Berra of Houston, and his son Bob Knerr of Indianapolis. Grandchildren are Rob Berra and his wife Cathy, and Jim Berra and his wife Cathy, all of Houston, and Carl R. Knerr and wife Hala of Boston, and Tabitha Knerr of Chicago. Great-grandchildren are Megan and Drew Berra and Travis and Tyler Berra, all of Houston. He also leaves a sister-in-law Bettye Welge and 3 nieces and 2 nephews in Indiana and Kentucky. Born August 26, 1915 in Evansville, IN, Knerr lived most of his youth in Evansville but also lived several years in Bad Hersfeld, Germany. He graduated from Central High School and in 1937 from Purdue University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Knerr was the original patent-holder for the first refrigerator automatic icemaker. He was also the originator of many other patents, applicable to refrigerator and washer product development. Active in several local civic and church associations, Knerr was one of the first five members of the Herrin Building Commissioners. In 1968 he was president of the Herrin Rotary Club. He was a Director of the Herrin Chamber of Commerce and the Drive Chairman of Herrin United Way. He was a member of the Regional Manpower Commission for Southern Illinois. He was a private pilot and enjoyed flying, occasionally making cross-country trips. He was a member of the Private Pilots Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Knerr was retired since 1977 and enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, and yard work. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. A funeral Mass will follow at 11:00am on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church with Msgr. Ken Schaefer officiating. Burial will follow at San Carlo cemetery where Knerr designed the dedication altarpiece. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church and will be accepted at the church or Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home, 201 S. 13th Street; Herrin, IL 62948. Thank you to the caring nurses of TIP Hospice. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com