QUINCY — A retired priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, Father Donald E. Knuffman of Quincy died July 1 at St. Vincent’s Home, Quincy. He was 77 years old.
He was born on Oct. 5, 1938 in Quincy, a son of Everett and Mary (Welsh) Knuffman.
Father Knuffman was ordained by Bishop William A. O’Connor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on May 22, 1965. He celebrated his 50 year jubilee last year.
During his priesthood, Father Knuffman served throughout the diocese. His first assignment was assistant at St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville, from 1965 to 1969. He was also assistant at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Springfield before moving to St. Peter Parish in Quincy in 1970, and serving as first assistant and then parochial administrator until 1973. He was assistant at Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville from 1973 to 1977 and then at St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Springfield from 1977 to 1980.
Over the next 15 years, he served in a number of parishes, most of the time as pastor: St. Jerome, Troy; St. John the Baptist, Black Jack; Sacred Heart, Effingham; Our Lady of Lourdes, Decatur; and St. Dominic, Quincy. His last assignment was pastor of St. Peter Parish, Petersburg and Holy Family Parish, Athens from 2005 to 2009. He moved back to Quincy when he retired in 2009, for health reasons.
He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Quincy and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed collecting model tractors and was a true St. Louis Cardinals fan. Some of his favorite times were vacations with family and friends and he enjoyed sharing time with his nieces and nephews and they with him. He loved to read and enjoyed a variety of genres.
He is survived by a brother, Marvin Knuffman and a sister, Joan VandenBoom, both of Quincy, along with some very special nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Ann Knuffman, and two great-nephews, BJ VandenBoom and Jeffrey VandenBoom.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 7 in St. Brigid Catholic Church in Liberty by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki and concelebrants. Burial was in St. Brigid Cemetery, Liberty.
Memorials are suggested to Quincy Notre Dame High School and Unity Point Hospice.
Duker & Haugh Funeral Home, Quincy was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.