Maynard Knight

Maynard "Shorty" Knight was welcomed into heaven by his joyful family members on February 20, 2019. Born July 23, 1923 in Comstock, MI, Maynard was one of twelve children born to Roy and Irene (Pease) Knight. As a young boy growing up on their Martin homestead, Maynard enjoyed the outdoors. Although he regretted not completing high school, he was needed on the farm when his father passed away. Maynard became a milk deliverer for Holland Dairy as a teenager, utilizing a horse and wagon before upgrading to a truck! He always amazed his clients with his strength as he used all 5 foot 1 inch of his slight frame to hoist the huge milk cans onto the truck. In 1943, while working for Checker Cab, he was inducted into the US Army. He served in the European Theatre during World War II with the 168th Engineering Combat Division as a sergeant in the Motor Pool, assisting with building roads behind the front lines and maintaining vehicles. After he returned in December 1945, he eagerly awaited the return of the love of his life, Merle E. Landes, from her Navy duty. Shorty married Lefty on September 27, 1946, and they settled in the Otsego area where they remained for 70 years. Most of Maynard's work career was spent at Miller Lumber as a truck driver/dispatcher until they closed in 1984, but he then joined his niece Sherry as a part time employee, doing engraving work at B & C Trophy. When not working he found time to assist with the needs of some of his kids' activities. He and his brother, Kerm, built the original Otsego Band Boosters booth at the Allegan County Fair; he graduated from yelling in the bleachers to yelling on the sideline as a softball coach for his daughter, Amy, and her friends; and he worked tirelessly to teach his kids how to garden properly for their 4H projects! Love and support of family was modeled all through his life as he joined with his siblings and their spouses over the years in building projects together, playing cards together, bowling together, golfing together, vacationing together and purchasing property at Sandy Pines together where he and Merle enjoyed 10 years of creating memories for their grandkids. Maynard will be remembered for his kindness, ready smile, twinkling eyes and willingness to help others whenever a need arose. ("Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." Philippians 2:4 NLT) Surviving are 3 children, Andrew & Pam Knight, Marlita & Bill Walker, Maynard & Donna Knight; son-in law, Andy & Trish Winter; daughter-in-law, Pam DeBoer; 11 grandkids, Jefton (Jamie Sue) Knight, Adam (Samantha) Knight, Chris (Kara) DeBoer, Curt (Amy) DeBoer, Mikkel (Teg) Walker Tegelaar, Ben (Jenny) Walker, Melody (Keith) Walker Hendren, Amanda (Joe) Winter Tiseo, Allison Winter, Brett Knight and Alise Knight; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Gloria Ritchie and sisters-in-law, Reva Knight and Doris Herrington. Maynard was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Merle Landes Knight, daughters, Arlene Knight DeBoer and Amy Knight Winter; son-in-law, Steve DeBoer; brothers, Leslie Knight, Kermit Knight, Claude Knight, Fred Knight and Myron Knight; sisters, Florence Curry and Pauline Sturman and 3 infant siblings, Clifton, Margaret and Evelyn. Friends may visit with Maynard's family from 4-7 P.M., Monday, February 25, 2019, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at the Otsego United Methodist Church with Pastor Bill Walker officiating. A dessert buffet at the church will follow. A private family burial will take place at Mountain Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan in gratitude for their wonderful care of Maynard. Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.