Gerald Hubert Knoch - Brownstown, Michigan

April 27, 1937 – October 31, 2022

Born and raised in River Rouge, Michigan to Hazen and Shirley Knoch. He was the youngest of seven children, preceded in death by Hazen, Ernestine, Eugene, Robert, Barbara, and Carol.

He studied briefly at Michigan State University before attending seminary in preparation for the Missions field.

He married Marie Rose Contino (deceased November 10, 2000) of Wyandotte April 23, 1960, and they became missionaries to the Philippines from 1960 through 1968. He established 3 churches, a Christian radio program, and outreach satellites to many villages afar. They had three children while overseas, and another after returning home to the United States:  Jerry (Sue) Knoch, Cheryl (Edward) Heimbach, Wesley (Joelle) Knoch, and Michelle (Bill) Hammons. He has five grandsons: Alexander (Sierra) Knoch, Joshua Knoch, Andrew (Taylor) Knoch, Aaron Knoch, Owen Knoch and a great grandson: Ezekiel Knoch.

Gerald was from a long line of florists and after returning from the missions field spent most of the remainder of his working years in his own and his brothers' shops, managing one from which he eventually retired.

He was a devout Christian, sharing his faith with everyone he could. After returning from the Philippines, he remained active in church, teaching Sunday school, and holding weekly Bible studies and working with youth groups. His strong faith in God and love of his family kept him positive through all of his pain and anguishes he had in his later life. His generous spirit showed in his doing all he could for his children and siblings. He was always available to take his siblings to appointments in their later years or help them with maintenance around the house and he would always give a book or an article clipped from a magazine or newspaper that he thought one of his friends or family would like to read.  He loved being around his family most of all and came alive when he was gathered together with them no matter the season: holidays at the homes of his children, singing Christmas carols with the family, summer camping with his grandsons or attending auctions with his sons.

He dearly loved his dogs, and they were his ever-present and erstwhile companions after Marie passed away.

Per his wishes, the family will have a private graveside service where he will be buried next to his beloved Marie.