Jon P. Kneip, 87, of Drummond Island, quietly passed away at home on June 10, 2020 after an extended illness.

Jon was born in Flint on Aug. 5, 1932 to Irwin C. and Florence (Gulliver) Kneip.

He attended Traverse City Senior High through his junior year whereupon the family moved to Lebanon, Indiana. He graduated from Lebanon High School in June, 1950. He went on to attend Purdue University for a time before going to work for General Motors. Living and working in North Tonawanda, New York before moving his growing family back to Sterling Heights, Jon was the senior tech in engine development for Chevrolet for 41 years before retiring in September, 1994.

On July 16, 1994 Jon married Judith "Judie" Mitchell at the St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Sterling Heights. Together they enjoyed traveling, making a memorable road trip to Alaska; joining up with their friends, Don and Elaine Johnson, to explore the west by RV and traveling by boat down the Intracoastal Waterway, thoroughly enjoying their time together and with the extended families before Judie sadly passed away in 1998.

Jon continued his road trips, enjoying the drive to visit his sister in Traverse City, then on to Drummond Island or going south and visiting family through the years in Virginia, Georgia and Florida. He confidently drove solo up to and through his mid seventies.

He moved to Drummond Island in 2014 to live with his son, Jon, Jr.

Jon loved to golf and enjoyed playing with friends at home as well as during his winter trips to Gulf Shores, Alabama, stopping whenever he chose to sample area golf courses along the way.

Jon is survived by his children, Katherine Cornett, of Satellite Beach, Florida, Jon P. Kneip, Jr., of Drummond Island; his three step-children, Steve, Catharine and Bruce (Suzanne) Moilanen; his grandchildren, Michelle (Troy) Cox, Bradley Cornett, Emily Cornett, Trisha (Tim) Haak and Travis Kneip; two great-grandchildren, Penelope and Nate Haak; niece, Leslye (John) Wuerfel; and nephews, Marc (Brenda) Hooper, John Hooper, Bruce (Terry) Hooper and Charles Hooper.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Irwin Kneip; his step-mother, Gertrude (Crampton) Kneip; his sister and brother-in-law, Deni & Bruce Hooper; his son, Danial Kneip; and grandson, Gregory Cornett.

The family will hold a private graveside service later this month.

Interment will be at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery in Troy, next to his wife Judie.

The R. Galer Funeral Home of Pickford is handling the final arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in Jon P. Kneip's memory or to your local branch of Alzheimer's Association.