Lester Wayne Knight's Obituary
Lester Wayne Knight, 94, of Peoria, IL, passed away October 17, 2020 at Buehler Home in Peoria, IL.
Les was born February 22, 1926 in Grand Island, NE, the son of Ward E. and Alice Irene (Reboff) Knight. He married Eleanor Ethel Klingingsmith and she preceded him in death on February 2, 1999. Following Eleanor’s passing he married Wilma Allenspach and she preceded him in death on February 17, 2020.
Les was a veteran of the US Navy, serving during WWII. Following his military service, he started a career with Caterpillar Tractor Company, where he served as a general laborer and progressed into skilled trades, as master mechanic. He retired after serving for 30 plus years.
Les enjoyed collecting rocks and polishing them in rock tumblers, gun collecting, and planting vegetable gardens. He was an was an avid reader of western novels and held a true fascination with reading National Geographic Magazine. He loved traveling and going on an occasional cruise with his second spouse, Wilma. He was most fascinated traveling through the Panama Canal.
Surviving are his son, Morris Eugene “Gene” Pike (Grace) of Etna, WY; step-son, James Allenspach of Florida, step-daughter, Janet Allenspach of Los Ojos, CA, siblings, Bernadine Beekman of Hotchkiss, CO, Lois Bell of Fredricksburg, TX; grandsons, Gary Eugene Pike of Sarasota, FL, Gregory M. Pike (Deneil) of Decatur, IL; great grandchildren, Matthew Ryan Pike, Robert Alan-Morris Pike, and Jessica Pike; and many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life will be held, at a later date, at Swan Lake Cemetery.
The Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Les.
Memorials: Buehler Home, 3415 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61804.
The family would like to thank the staff of Buehler home for the loving, compassionate care, given to Les. He truly loved you all.
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