Charles Lewis Douglas Knivila

Charles L.D. Knivila, 79 of Canton, MI passed away February 4, 2015 at Arbor Hospice in Ann Arbor, MI.

Charles was born on September 4, 1935 in Trout Creek, MI, to Charles and Eva (Bessen) Knivila. He graduated in 1953 from Trout Creek High School and went to work at the Abbott Fox Lumber Company for 12 years as a night watchman. As a young man he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He was a champion at ping pong, never losing to any of his friends until his wedding day. He enjoyed telling the story of purchasing his first car, a brand new 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Town Sedan. He enjoyed driving and excelled at it. His favorite drive was the one that always took him home, to his hometown of Trout Creek, MI.

Charles married the beautiful Esther Jane Larson on June 17, 1961. A lovely candlelight wedding took place at the First Lutheran Church of Ewen. They made their home in Trout Creek, MI until moving to Ann Arbor, MI in 1965. Charles worked for General Motors Hydra-Matic Division in Willow Run for 27 years, retiring in 1993. He was a proud member of UAW Local 735 and a proud Democrat. In 1978, he moved his family to Canton, MI, settling down in Sunflower Subdivision.

Charles was a proud fan of the Detroit Tigers, win or lose. He often told the story of attending his first Tiger game with his father at the age of 8 in the summer of 1943, a double header where the Tigers beat the New York Yankees 12-0 and 8-3. He enjoyed the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Lions and Pistons basketball. He enjoyed UM football, basketball and baseball. He was also a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Charles was an avid gardener and loved beautiful tulips and roses, pine trees and green grass. He loved the birds and in later years he enjoyed feeding the squirrels and created his own nut and seed mixtures. He loved dogs and in later years discovered that he loved cats. After retiring, he made many friends in the neighborhood because he enjoyed walking and he'd often share stories of his hometown of Trout Creek. He enjoyed his local Canton Meijer store and was loved by many employees and met his retiree buddies for coffee each day at 9 AM. He was a kind, loving father, husband and friend. He was deeply loved and cared for by his children and will be sadly missed, and will remain, so dear, in our hearts forever.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Esther Knivila; his parents, Charles and Eva Knivila; and his beloved brother, Bruce Andrew Wilhelm Knivila.

Charles is survived by his four children, Mark Douglas Knivila, Timothy James Knivila, John Jeffrey Knivila and dear daughter, Linda Ann Knivila, of Canton, MI; one grandson, Brandon Michael Knivila; loving sister-in-law Peggy Knivila of Westland, MI; dear family friends Joel and Diane McLaughlin of Marquette, MI.

In honor of Charles, memorials may be sent to the American Lung Association, Finlandia University or the Audubon Society.

A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Trout Creek Cemetery in Trout Creek.