Larry R Kniffen, age 91 years young, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Larry was born on March 10, 1935. On November 2, 1958, he was married to Mary Lou Lyon and spent the next 53 years together until her passing in 2011. Together they raised two daughters.
Larry served the Mount Pleasant community for 30 years as a police officer. He retired as Sgt. Kniffen, or “Kniff”, as the guys referred to him.
Larry’s real passion was farming. He was the proud owner of a 102-acre Centennial farm in Lincoln Township where he farmed all kinds of crops with his beloved tractor which he affectionately named Belarus.
Larry’s pride and joy was his family. He was an amazing role model and was the rock that anchored his family together. He was always there to help out whether it be by building something, remodeling something, handing down a vehicle, or just giving advice on how to handle any number of matters.
Larry is survived by his two daughters, Tracy Kniffen-Oates (Jeff), Sally Kniffen (Jim Ramon); four grandchildren, Mike Brown, Nichole (Brown) Ninowski (Dave), Tyler Oates (Alexandria), and Chelsea (Oates) Popplewell (Nick); and six great grandchildren, Jordan Ninowski, Olivia Oates, Emory Oates, Scarlet Popplewell, Jackson Popplewell and arriving in October, 2026, Ellie Popplewell.
Larry was proceeded in death by the love of his life, Mary Lou Kniffen. Also proceeding him in death where his parents Rendel Kniffen and Gladys Brickner, his brother Hugh Kniffen, sisters, Francis, Brickner, Jean (Bilow) Munson and Ann Brooks.
Always a servant of the community, Larry would greet the parishioners at the United Methodist Church door on Sundays and would stand or sit guard by the door to protect the congregants should there be an incident (which, thankfully, there never was). He greeted the people with a friendly face and a kind heart every Sunday morning. If there were a Hall of Fame for church greeters, he most certainly would be in it. He will be taking on a new greeter position at the Pearly Gates to be sure. Rest in peace Larry.
Services for Larry will be Tuesday, September 1 at 11am at Shepherd United Methodist Church with visitation from 10am until time of service. There will be visitation on Monday, August 31 from 5 to 8pm at Berry Funeral Home of Shepherd.
