Derele Wilson Knepper, 84, died on Thursday, March 25 at Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice in Manhattan, following a short battle with cancer.
Born on July 10, 1936, Derele grew up in Clay Center, working at The Clay Center Dispatch as a newspaper carrier, before becoming sports editor while still in high school. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of yeoman on the USS Harry F. Bauer DM-26. There, he was charged with inventorying the ship’s cargo on its final tour. Following the service, he attended Kansas University and Southern Methodist University, before returning to a career in journalism that took him across the Midwest. He worked at The Johnson County Herald, Leavenworth Times, Financial Publications, Dodge City Daily Globe, Great Bend Tribune, Hays Daily News, The Newton Kansan, Pittsburg Headlight-Sun, as well as The Carlsbad (N.M.) Current-Argus and Berryville (Ark.) Star-Progress. As a reporter and editor, he won numerous press association awards in writing and page design. His reporting put him in touch with a number of celebrities over the years, including Forrest “Phog” Allen, Wilt Chamberlain and John F. Kennedy. He often joked how Joe Dimaggio had offered to pay his speeding ticket at Ft. Leavenworth after he got a late start to their interview. After retirement, Derele and his family moved to Clay Center, where he farmed and volunteered in the community.
He was a member of Disabled American Veterans, KU Alumni Association, Clay Center Lions Club and was a past commander and Chaplin at American Legion Alonzo Dexter Post 101. He actively supported area Boy Scouts and the Clay Center Boy Scout cabin was put in his name in 2014.
Derele married Virginia Rose Nash on July 10, 1962 in Leavenworth. She preceded him in death in 1992. He is survived by his children, Ken (Lori) Knepper of Newton and Darla (Kevin) Flickinger of Manhattan. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Joshua and Virginia Flickinger, Brandon Cheek, Breanna Burch and Brett Knepper, along with two great-grandchildren, Keaton Stribling and Brynlee Burch.
Respect calls will take place on Friday, April 2 from 4-6 p.m. with family present.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 3, at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center. Wearing masks is requested.
Burial with military honors will take place at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to American Legion Post 101, Clay Center United Methodist Church or Clay Center Boy Scout Troop 54 and sent to Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home.