Douglas "Doug" Wayne Kneser

Douglas "Doug" Wayne Kneser passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at the age of 72. He passed peacefully with his family by his side after a long battle with kidney and heart disease. We will all miss his sense of humor, endless lectures, and fun-loving personality, but most of all we will just miss him.

Doug was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Greenfield High School and graduated in 1969. Doug then attended Milwaukee Area Technical College where he concentrated in business studies. He also spent many hours playing basketball as a member of the school’s team. Doug joined the U.S. Army Reserve and did basic training in Fort Polk, Louisiana.  After starting his business career with JCPenney, Doug relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and then transferred to Battle Creek. During his 26 years with the company, Doug made many friends and shared countless fond memories with his staff and co-workers. He moved on to retire from DENSO Manufacturing in 2013.

Doug was a life member of Optimist International and a past president of the Lakeview Optimist club. He was also an avid college basketball fan and always had his March Madness brackets ready. Doug’s leisure time was spent on the beaches of Lake Michigan & the Gulf Coast of Florida, where he always felt most at home. He also loved cheering on his grandsons at all their sporting events.

Doug is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Jean Kneser. Dear father to Melissa (Andrew) Nay, Nicholas (Alica Emmrich) Kneser. Grandfather to Lucas, Brandon, and Alexander Nay. Brother to Scott (Sandy) Kneser, Kurt Kneser, and Kathy (Mark) Ullstrup. Brother-in-Law to Mike Kowske, John O’Leary, Kathy (Ken) Franecki and Margaret (Leon) Glowacki. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence & Dorothy Kneser & Sister-in-Law Roseann Kowske.

While our hearts break with the passing of Doug, we can rest easy knowing that he is no longer suffering. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. A memorial service to celebrate Doug's life will begin at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the S.A.F.E. Place Shelter, PO Box 199 Battle Creek, MI 49016 (https://safeplaceshelter.org/).   Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Doug may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.