Devon F Knoll

Devon F. Knoll, 69, of Topeka, passed away Tues. January 13, 2008 at his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born June 18, 1939 in Zurich, KS, the son of Adam and Barbara Sander Knoll. Devon graduated from Victoria High School, Victoria, KS and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fort Hays State University. He received a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Kansas as well as a Masters of Administration of Justice from Wichita State University. He worked for the Allen Co. Welfare Dept. in Iola, KS from March 1964 to May 1965. He then worked for the Kansas Dept. of Parole and Probation and the Kansas Dept. of Corrections from May 1965 to August 1994. During his employment he was a Parole Officer in Shawnee, Jefferson, Franklin and Douglas counties and served as the Director of the Kansas Parole Board. Following his retirement from the State of Kansas, Devon worked part-time for Meals on Wheels in Shawnee and Jefferson counties. He was honored as the 1990 Non-Uniformed Employee of the Year by the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He was appointed a member of the State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services by Governor Bill Graves in 1997 and 2000. Devon was an avid KU Jayhawk fan and volunteered as an usher at football and men’s basketball games for over 35 years. He was the current president of the Meadowlark New Voice Club of Northeast Kansas after becoming a neck breather in 2006. He enjoyed sailing, fishing and watching sports, but his greatest joy came from being with his family, especially his two grandchildren. Devon married Janice (Jan) Turner on May 8, 1965 in Iola. She survives. Devon and Jan lived at Perry Lake in Jefferson Co. for over thirty years prior to returning to Topeka in 2003. Other survivors include a son, Christopher Knoll (Weiqian) of Kansas City, MO; a daughter, Kelley Berryman (Jason) of Topeka; two grandchildren, Alec and Myah Berryman of Topeka; brothers, Wayne Knoll (Beatrice Ann), Springfield, Virginia, Omer Knoll, Palco, KS, Lester Knoll, Gilbert, AZ, Carroll Knoll, Garden City, KS, and Larry Knoll, Littleton, CO; sisters, Iris Knoll, Victoria, KS and Jane Tenney (Jim) St. George, UT. Cremation is planned. The family will greet friends from 6 to 7:30 pm Sunday, January 18 at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW. Urish Rd., Topeka, KS 66614, where a parish rosary will begin at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Monday, January 19 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church with inurnment to follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, St. Fidelis Church or Midland Hospice House and sent care of the funeral home.

Devon F Knoll

June 18, 1939 - January 18, 2009