Marie A. Knebel, nee Whittaker, 91, of Collinsville, Ill., born Dec. 8, 1921, in Granite City, Ill., died peacefully in her own bed on Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Mrs. Knebel was a very active member of her church, St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville, Ill., where she belonged to the Altar Society and enjoyed singing and had been a choir member. She also belonged to Homemakers Extension and League of Women Voters. Marie graduated with top honors from St. Luke's Hospital Nursing Program. She retired as a nurse after 40 years from the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and had also worked as a nurse at St. Mary's and Barnes Hospitals. Marie loved and cherished her family and enjoyed many activities with them including 4H, camping and scouting. She was an avid bird watcher and she and George loved to dance.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, George John Knebel, whom she married on Feb. 19, 1946; daughter, Lynda Knebel; parents, William and Mabel, nee Jett, Whittaker; daughter-in-law, Debra; two granddaughters, Lisa and Casey; an extended family member, Dee Felty; and a brother, William Wayne (Dorthea) Whittaker.

Surviving are her children, Michael (Dolly) Knebel of Panama, Ill., Ebby Knebel of Collinsville, Ill., Connie (John) Galvin of Collinsville, Ill., Andy(Debra) Knebel of Berthoud, Colo., Peggy (Gregg) Steinbrueck of Longmont, Colo., David (Janet) Knebel of Troy, Ill., Mary Kay (John) Miller of Collinsville, Ill., and Dawn (Gary) Ellwood of Swansea, Ill.; 20 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by extended family member, Dottie Shaffer of St. Charles, Mo.

Memorials may be made to Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Grade School or in the form of Masses at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2013, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville, Ill., with Father John Beveridge officiating. Interment in Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento, Ill.