John W. Knight, Sr., 85
John William Knight, Sr., 85 of Austin, formerly of West Union and New Hampton, Iowa, died on Feb. 22, 2009 at VA Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn.
He was born Feb. 20, 1924 in West Union, Iowa, to Fred and Melvina (Hoover) Knight. John graduated from high school at West Union, Iowa. He served in the US Army, 2868th Engineers Utilities Detachment from 1943 thru 1946. He was married to Viola Mary Flath on Jan. 19, 1946 at Adel, Iowa. John was an Iowa State Trooper before purchasing a plumbing and heating business in New Hampton, Iowa. While in New Hampton he served as mayor and also as congregational President of the Trinity Lutheran Church. They later moved to Osage before coming to Austin where he was employed by the Hill Heating Company. In retirement he has driven vans for Espeland Transportation and worked at the Austin Hy-Vee Food Store. He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church and a 33rd Degree Mason.
John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Viola Knight, Austin; daughter, Lana Jo (Terry) Teigen, Plymouth, Minn.; son, John W. Knight, Jr., Austin;  grandchildren, Tracy  Sherner, Heather Lundquist, Rob Knight, Hilary Knight; great-grandchildren, Tatum and Taverie  Sherner, Calin  Lundquist; brother, Garland  Knight, West Union, Iowa; sister, Bessie  Jost, Livermore, Calif.; nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Paul and Robert.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Michael Olmsted officiating. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The family prefers memorials. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.