The Rev. Arnold 'A.J.' Knickerbocker

Monday, November 19, 2007

WAUNETA -- The Rev. Arnold "A.J." Knickerbocker, 86, died Thursday (Nov. 15, 2007) at his home in Wauneta.

He was born in Ontonagon, Mich., to Franklin L. and Mary (Papineau) Knickerbocker. He graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1940.

In September 1942, he joined the military service. He served most of his time in the 360th Army Air Force at McClelland Field in California, where he played trombone in the Army Band.

He married Anne Mae Vincent on a "delay enroute" in Ontonagon on April 5, 1945. He was in Fort Meade, Md., by April 11, 1945, to go overseas and arrived in France on May 8, 1945 V.E. Day.

His ministry preparation began at Moody Bible Institute. He later attended Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minn., and graduated in 1951. His first church was in Ontonagon. There he built a church building, North Land Gospel Mission.

He then went to Ocqueoc Gospel Mission, a Lower Michigan country church and later to St. Charles, Minn., to St. Charles Bible Church.

Due to health problems, he moved to Denver and then to Grace Bible Church at Sterling, Colo, for 12 years. In 1980, he was called to Christian Union Church in Stratton.

While serving in Stratton he was the guide in building the new sanctuary and began building in November of 1980, finishing the following year on Nov. 5, 1981.

He received the call from Greeley Alliance in 1985. He served there until a heart by-pass kept him from full time service. Music was a major part of his ministry. He retired August 1993, and moved to Wauneta to be near his daughter, Joy Wheeler and family.

Survivors include his wife, Ann of Wauneta; daughter, Joy Wheeler and husband, Rod of Wauneta; sons, Mark and wife, Carol of Wheatland, Wyo., and Forest and wife, Susan of Clermont, Ga.; sister, Ruth Killeron of Ontonagon, Mich.; sister-in-law, Shirley Bulger of Sparland, Ill.; four grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were today at Hamlet Union Church, with the Rev. Marshall Erickson officiating. Interment will follow at Hamlet Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his name.

Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.