HOFFMAN, Ill — Leland Neil Knolhoff, 65, of Hoffman, Illinois, passed away at 5:42 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2022, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.

He was born on July 7,1957, in Centralia, the son of Herbert Fred and Edna A. (Schroeder) Knolhoff.  He married Vanessa Debra Marie Peper on August 10, 1984, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoffman, and she survives him in Hoffman.

In addition to his loving wife of 38 years, Leland is survived by his loving family; son, Caleb Knolhoff of Hoffman; daughter, Christina Szarek and husband Frank of Hoffman; grandsons, Gavin Knolhoff and girlfriend Holly Smyth of Greenville, Illinois, Holden Asencio and girlfriend Hailey Williams of Greenville, and Tyler Szarek and wife April of Mount Vernon, Illinois; great-granddaughter, Lilly Szarek of Mount Vernon, Illinois; brothers, Delbert Knolhoff and wife Judy of Elyria, Ohio, Randall Knolhoff of Centralia, and twin brother, Verlin Knolhoff and wife Rita of Sandoval, Illinois; sisters, Lois Carmickle of Hoffman, and Sara Knolhoff of Centralia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Knolhoff and Edna Knolhoff; brother, Mark A. Knolhoff; paternal grandparents, Martin Knolhoff and Lydia (Buchholz) Knolhoff: and maternal grandparents, Ferdinend “Fred” Schroeder and Wilhemine (Hoffman) Schroeder.

Leland was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoffman.  He was a member of the Hoffman Jaycees.  He joined the Hoffman Volunteer Fire Department in 1977 and retired in 1998 after 21 years of service to his community.  He volunteered with the Hoffman Demolition Derby, working on demo cars, and preparing them for the derby.  Leland was known to tinker and fix anything, as he was positive on something that doesn’t work.  He was creative and skillful with his hands, enabling him to make his truck run on water and baking soda.  He also built a corn feeder to separate the kernels from the corn cob, so he can feed his chickens.  Leland grew up on the farm and had a love for animals.  Out of his love for animals, he surrounded himself with cows, taking his grand dog, Falcor, for rides on his golf car, loving his vultures, Fred and Mary, and his fur babies, Sophie, Kandy, Benji, and Eris.  He loved to eat at Jade Buffet in Central City, Illinois.  He cherished the time he spent with his family and friends.

Leland was a mechanic and co-owner with his twin brother, Verlin, of Knolhoff’s Garage in Hoffman, from 1979 until 1998.  After his retirement, he was a good supervisor and consultant to his family and friends.  In his younger years, he worked on the farm baling hay and tending to the animals.  Leland received his ASE Mechanic Certification and graduated with Carlyle High School’s “Class of 1976”.  He lived most of his life in Hoffman.

Graveside services for Mr. Leland Neil Knolhoff will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Hoffman, with Pastor Brett Jones officiating.  Interment will follow in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Hoffman.  Friends are invited to visit with Mr. Knolhoff’s family from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2022, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoffman.  The family asked that you dress casually when you pay your respects to Leland and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made in Mr. Knolhoff’s honor are suggested and may be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Knolhoff’s family at moranfuneralhome.net.