Frederick Michael Knofski Sr., age 89, of Brooklyn, MI passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Michigan Medicine. He was born on October 19, 1935 in Wayne Co., MI a son of the late Michael Otto and Bernice Ida (Burghardt) Knofski. On May 20, 1954 he married Marian Cecile Pearson and they shared 62 years together before her passing in 2016.
He retired from being a heavy equipment mechanic with Michigan CAT and was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324. Fred was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Tecumseh where he was very active and had been on the council for the last few years. He enjoyed gardening, square dancing, hunting, fishing and just being outside. In his younger days he loved racing his car and spent a lot of time helping at the Lutheran Camp.
Fred is survived by his children, Fred (Cindy) Knofski Jr. of Howell, MI, Diane Milligan of Jackson, MI, Henry (Debbie Winzeler) Knofski of Hartland, MI and Laurie (Lee) Smither of Onsted, MI; two brothers, Jim (Marilyn) Knofski of Gregory, MI and Michael (Rosemary) Knofski of Belleville, MI; a sister, Betty Pearson of Gulfport, FL; a brother-in-law, William (Kathy) Pearson of Romulus, MI; 11 grandchildren, Joshua (Lindsay) Knofski of Lakeway, TX, Andrew Knofski of Torrence, CA, Angela Knofski and Tabitha Knofski both of Westland, MI, Scott Milligan of Dearborn, MI, Russell (Amber) Milligan of Monroe, MI, Christine (Doug Shepherd) Milligan of Jackson, MI, Diana (Dan) Dubois of Jonesville, MI, Sara (Sean O’Brien) Smither of North Beach, MD, Lee (Kylene) Smither Jr., and Eric (Kayleah) Smither both of Clinton, MI; and eighteen great-grandchildren. Along with his wife, Marian and his parents, Fred was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Gail Milligan; a great-granddaughter, Christa Milligan; a sister, Nancy Lauseng and two brothers, Paul and Patrick Cox.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 11am at Grace Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, MI with Pastor William Finn officiating. Visitation will be from 1pm-7pm Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes and from 10am until the time of the service at the church. Entombment will follow at 3pm at Michigan Memorial Park in Flat Rock, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church and the Alzheimer’s Association.