Keith Laverne Knowles

Keith Knowles, 69, of Livonia, Missouri, passed away at this home on Monday, November 29, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer.

Keith Laverne Knowles was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 30, 1952, the son of Wayne and Jessie Marie (Scott) Knowles, who preceded him in death. He was reared in the Graysville area of Putnam County.  Keith served stateside with the United States Marines during the Vietnam war. He married Peggy Shrake in 1974 upon his discharge and they divorced in 1979.  A son was born to this union. Keith worked several years as a supervisor for Florsheim and also owned and operated the Wild Turkey Bar and Grill in Livonia for two years where his cheeseburgers were a big hit.  He married Janice Blankenship and they had a daughter together. Keith and Janice later divorced.  Keith worked for eight years as a supervisor for Christian (hog) Farms, leaving in 2012.  He last worked as a flagger for W. L. Miller Road Construction. Keith married Mary Cookesy at Mach Bridge at Rebel’s Cove (Putnam County) on June 22, 2002, and she survives at home.

Keith loved to do anything outside, especially fishing and deer hunting.  He enjoyed riding in the side-by-side with his best friend and son-in-law Ty Calderon.  Keith was a good cook and loved to cook for family at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  He liked to garden and play bingo and was a good singer.  Keith was a good storyteller and never met a stranger.  He loved his grandchildren who thought the world of him.

In addition to his wife Keith is survived by his son, Rusty Knowles of Graysville, Missouri, his daughters, Jackie Cornell of Columbia, Missouri, and Bonnie (Ty Calderon) Schoonover of Livonia.  He is also survived by grandchildren Danyell Skinner, Hailey Aguero, Ashlynn Knowles, Brandon Knowles, Ean Cornell, Kaylee Cornell, and Dakota Cooprider.  He also considered Ervin Gingrich as a grandson and Cheyann Stith as a granddaughter. His surviving great grandchildren are Raylin Skinner, Rhett Skinner, Remington Skinner, Rowan Skinner, Axton Mann, Isetyn Cooprider, Lyric Augero, Lennix Augero, and Mahlon Gingrich. His surviving brothers are Harry (Latreasa) White and Jim (Theresa) White.

Keith was also preceded in death by two sisters, Martha White and Inez Stewart, one brother, Jesse Knowles, and a grandson, Stormy Schoonover.

Celebration of Life for Keith will be at Omaha Baptist Church in Putnam County at noon on Saturday, December 4, 2021.  Inurnment will take place at a later date.  Memorials should be made payable to the family and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th St., Unionville, MO  63565.