Published on April 20, 2026 3:42 pm
Last Updated on April 20, 2026 3:42 pm
Gerald E. Knierim, 84, of Effingham, IL, peacefully passed away at his home on Saturday April 18, 2026 at 5:05 p.m., surrounded by his loving family.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Jackson Township Baptist Church, 8458 E. 875th Ave, Altamont, IL. Burial will be in Little Prairie Cemetery, Jackson Township. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to the services at the church. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Jackson Township Baptist Church or Little Prairie Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Gerald was born on January 16, 1942 to Lloyd and Lucille (Conner) Knierim. Effingham, IL was where he was born and raised and later on, raised his family. On July 14, 1962, he married the love of his life, Laura Beth Wheeler. The pair had a love that was rare and irreplaceable. Gerald started working as a farm hand at a young age for local farmers. As he got older, he worked as a construction worker and for the Effingham County Highway Department. When work grew slow, he cut and sold firewood. However, the time he spent working/ buying/selling/trading horses and tack was his passion and what he was known most for. This horse trader was an honest, compassionate Christian man that was known for standing true to his word on any trade or sale. Gerald loved to visit with friends and family, whether it was under a shade tree in the front yard, in the fellowship hall at a church event, or over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. Above all, he loved to laugh and spread joy to everyone around him.
Gerald leaves behind his loving family: Son and loving daughter-in-law, Kevin (Tanya) Knierim of Altamont, IL; grandchildren, Kaleb Knierim of Altamont, IL, Kaitlyn Knierim of Effingham, IL, Lucian Kinney of Effingham, IL, and Karissa Kinney of Vandalia, IL; great-grandchildren, Jaxon Koester of Altamont, IL and Gentry Kinney of Vandalia, IL; sister, Alberta (Andrew) Verdeyen of Effingham, IL; sisters-in law, Dixie (Ken) Harms of Neoga, IL and Janet Murphy of TN.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Knierim; son, Johnnie Knierim; parents, Lloyd and Lucille Knierim; brother, Edward Knierim; sisters-in law, Peggy Knierim and Lois Knierim; mother-in-law, Irene Wheeler; and father-in-law, John Wheeler.