WILMINGTON — Geraldine Puffer Knuebel, (age 89), formerly of Wilmington, NC, passed away peacefully Monday, May 27, 2024 at Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham, NC.
Gerry, as she was known, was born February 20, 1935 in Ashtabula, OH, the youngest child of the late Arthur and Agnes Puffer. Her husband of 67 years, Kenneth Paul Knuebel, preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Helen Hicks and Evelyn Reek and her brother, Henry Puffer.
Gerry was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Growing up in Ashtabula, she described an idyllic childhood. She often said that the 23 years Ken spent in the Marine Corps were the happiest of her life, despite the separations and deployments. They were two small town kids from Ohio traveling the world. After retiring from the Marine Corps, they moved to Wilmington where Ken was a manager for H & R Block and Gerry was a tax preparer. They enjoyed life on the water and belonged to the Power Squadron where they made many friends and enjoyed many outings to coastal towns in the Carolinas. They were active members of Water of Life Church while in Wilmington.
She is survived by four children, Debra Vetter (Steve) of Greensboro, NC, Susan Collevecchio (Ed) of Raleigh, NC, David Knuebel (Terry) of Wilmington, NC, and Carol Armstrong (Ross) of Chapel Hill, NC; 9 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will greet visitors at 1:00 PM prior to A Celebration of Life at 2:00PM Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Andrews Market Street Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gerry’s memory may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
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