Mark D. Kneifl, Sr

NEWCASTLE, Neb. -- Mark D. Kneifl Sr., 92, of Newcastle died Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at his residence following a brief illness. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Newcastle, with the Rev. David Leiwer. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle, with military rites. Visitation with the family will begin at 5 p.m. today, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m., at the church parish hall. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Mark was born Sept. 19, 1918, in Ponca, Neb., to Mary (Pletch) and Greg Kneifl. He graduated from Newcastle High School in 1936. He married Gayle Wendte on Nov. 16, 1943. Mark farmed until going to the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was aboard the USS Monriva, spending this time in the Pacific. After the Navy, he worked for the Dixon County Road Maintenance. In 1947, he opened the Castle Bar in Newcastle. He later sold the bar to his son, but still enjoyed opening for morning coffee. Three years ago, Mark went on the Siouxland Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Mark was a member of St. Peter's Church in Newcastle, the Knights of Columbus in South Sioux City, American Legion Post 62 in Newcastle and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Hartington, Neb. His favorite pastime was playing cards, especially Pinochle. Mark served on the town board for many years. He loved being with his grandkids and great-grandkids. Survivors include his wife, Gayle to whom he's been married for 67 years; three sons, Mark (Diane) Kneifl Jr. of Scranton, Iowa, O. Doug Kneifl of Newcastle, and Kirk (Denise) Kneifl of Newcastle; four grandchildren, Scott Kneifl and his wife, Jennifer, Kristen Dendinger and her husband, Jason, Brent Kneifl and Shannon Christensen, and Megan Sorenson and her husband, Mike; and six great-grandchildren, Chase, Dylan and Turner Dendinger, Jacob and Brooks Kneifl and Jaxson Kneifl. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Greg, Paul and Tom Kneifl; and three sisters, Alice Daugherty, Francis Armstrong and Dorothy Kneifl. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and their spouses.