A memorial service for Merle A. (Butch) Knight, 86, was held Friday, May 2, 2008 in Corona, California. Services and inurnment will be held in Manning, Iowa at a later date.

He was born August 19, 1921, in Seattle, Washington and was an Army veteran of WWII, serving in Europe.

Merle was united in marriage with Luella Schade of Manning on March 9, 1946. They made their home in Manning for a time and Merle worked at the Manning Creamery. They made their home in Council Bluffs and he drove a bus for Greyhound Lines. In 1966, Merle and Luella moved to Edmonds, Washington. He retired from Safeway Stores, Seattle Division in 1985. They moved to Corona, California in 1990, to be near their daughter, Cathy. Luella passed away August 25, 2000. Merle then made his home with his daughter and her husband in Riverside, California. He was a volunteer at Corona Regional Medical Center where he was well known and loved by everyone. He was an avid reader and a master cribbage player. He loved watching baseball, especially the California Angels, and also enjoyed playing X Box games, especially golf and poker.

Merle passed away peacefully with family at his side on .Sunday, April 27, 2008 in Riverside, California.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Luella in 2000; a grandson Richard Smith; and his twin sister Merne.

Merle is survived by daughters Barb (Larry) Handlos, Manning, Iowa;

Dorothy (Dean) Smith, Olympia, Washington; and Cathy (Scott) Davis, Riverside, California; six grandchildren: Patty (Skip) Tanner,

Jackie (Mark) Werner, Joelle (Joe) Behrens, Randy (Maria) Smith, Lisa (Mark) Stoffers, and Meribeth Lewis; seven great-grandchildren: Nick Tanner, Dustin and Jarrett Werner, Hailee Behrens, and Jonathan, Kiana, and Cameron Smith; other relatives and many friends.

Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa in charge of arrangements.