John Harold Knoll was born on January 26th, 1947, to the late Harold and Betty (Merchant) Knoll in LaPorte, IN. He passed away on Tuesday, March 26 after a long illness. 

 

A proud resident of LaPorte, John attended St. Peter Catholic School, and LaPorte High School, and then returned to the area after attending Ball State University where he received his teaching and business degrees. John began his career as a teacher at St. Stanislaus Catholic School in Michigan City, then teaching at Wheeler Jr. / Sr. High School, where he advanced to the role of assistant principal.

 

On June 7th, 1969, John married Susan Fulton of Angola. The couple lived in Porter County and taught at Wheeler together until they moved to LaPorte in 1980 to run the family businesses, Harold Knoll & Son Contracting and Knoll Pool Supplies. John continued to be actively involved in the community through his parish, St. Peter Catholic Church, and with organizations such as the Jaycees, Rotary Club, LaPorte County Homebuilders Association, Habitat for Humanity, and the LaPorte County Draft Horse Club. 

 

John was a loving father to daughters Michelle (Kevin) Fessel of Depauw, IN, and Stephanie (Michael) Griesinger of Carver, MN, and grandfather to Brody, Bryce, Abigail, Jacob, and Alexandra, who survive. 

 

In addition to his wife of nearly 55 years, John is also survived by his sister Nancy (Richard) Ransom of Kent, OH, and sisters-in-law Marty Burns, Bobbie (Marty) Gilbert, Pat Fulton, Joanne McKeag, Connie (Jim) Crowl, Lori (Tom) Sanborn, Jeannie DeMato, and Stacy (George) Gilbert of the Angola, IN area. He is also survived by 65 nieces and nephews. 

 

He is preceded in death by his grandson, Benjamin Fessel, his nephew, Jeff Ransom, his niece, Christine Ransom, his mother and father-in-law, and brothers-in-law Al Burns and Richard DeMato. 

 

Visitation for family and friends will be held Monday, April 1st, 2024, from 4-8 pm at Haverstock Funeral Home 406 Maple Ave. La Porte, IN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 2nd at 11:00 am with Father Gordan Kalil presiding. Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery, La Porte, IN.

 

Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to St. Peter Catholic Church 1101 Michigan Ave. La Porte, IN 46350, 

 

Arrangements are under the direction of Haverstock Funeral Home, 602 Maple Ave. La Porte, IN 46350.

 

Online condolences may be made at: www.haverstockfuneralhome.com