Brian David Knipper

Brian D. Knipper, age 56 of Roaming Shores, died unexpectedly Saturday morning while hunting in Dorset Twp.

He was born December 21, 1962 in Ashtabula, the son of the late William F. Knipper and Shirleyann E. (Feher) Giesy. He grew up in Ashtabula County and graduated from the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School in 1981.  He lived many years in Arkansas and East Texas before returning home in 2013. He was the Service Manager for Hogan Trucking at their Austinburg location. Brian was married to Sandra K. (Chamberlain) on February 12, 2016 in Jefferson. Although being married just short of four years, Brian and Sandy had been high school sweethearts before being reunited once again.

Brian was an active member of the Rock Creek Conservation Gun Club, participating in all trap team, turkey shoots and supporting all the children’s activities, especially the youth fishing derby.  He loved hunting with his chocolate labs, Lucy and Lilly, who he proudly trained to retrieve. He also enjoyed fishing, riding 4-wheelers and was a member of the Mud Mafia Club while living in Texas.  Brian was a fixer upper, who always had a project. He was also a great story teller and practical joker. Brian had a way of making everyone he met comfortable and welcomed them like family. Brian’s close hunting friends, that were with him on Saturday morning, said they had never seen him so happy and proud of his pups.  

Survivors include his wife, Sandra; a son, Matthew B. (Lindsey) Knipper and grandson, Jace in Nashville, AK; two step-children, Kaitlin M. Falls of Austin, TX & Ryan G. Falls of Roaming Shores; his mother, Shirleyann Feher (Donald) Giesy of Cortland and a sister, Margie (Jeff) Tokarsky of Canton.  Brian also leaves behind his lifelong friend, Wesey "Butch" Gaul who mentored and shared his love for hunting.  He was proceeded in death by his father, William and his brother, Billy Knipper (2018).

Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at the Jefferson Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 49 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson with Pastor Mark Matzke of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Chesterland officiating.

Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4-7 PM at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Rock Creek Conservation Club. The Fleming & Billman Funeral Homes and staff are privileged to serve the Brian Knipper family.  Express condolences, view obituary or light a candle at fleming-billman.com.

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