John Clare “JC” McKnight, 97, of Scottsbluff, entered into rest on Monday, August 15, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2022, at East Lawn Cemetery near Minatare with Richard Gasser and Julie Hawthorn officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Nebraska Army National Guard and Gering American Legion Post 36 Honor Guard. A private family viewing will be held prior. The graveside service will be livestreamed and recorded to JC’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Festival of Hope or Regional West Hospice.
JC was born October 22, 1924, in Mitchell, Nebraska, to Tom and Lone (Kinion) McKnight. He married Marie Biggs on October 18, 1946. Six children were born unto this union: Karen (Phil) Sanford, Jim (Deb) McKnight, Les (Eleanor) McKnight, Lynette (John) Booker, Candace (Rick) Crouch, and Jon McKnight. He later married Florence Birkhofer on April 20, 2012.
JC is survived by all of his children and their spouses; four bonus children, Roger Birkhofer (Dianne), Calvin Birkhofer (Norma), Wanda Marshall (Wayne), and Delwyn Birkhofer (Roni); fifteen grandchildren; seven bonus grandchildren; forty-two great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; one sister, Wanda Laws; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie in 2011; second wife, Florence; grandson, David McKnight in 2020; brother, Kenneth McKnight; and sisters, Ruth Finney and Wilma Bone.