Ralph Knieriem, Sr.

Ralph (Cud) Frederick Knieriem Sr., 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior July 30,2022, at Mountain City Nursing Home. Ralph was born March 10, 1936, in Keyser, WV. He is the son of the late Henry H. Knieriem and Lillian (Zais) Knieriem. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris (Williams) Knieriem. Brother, Paul and wife Janet, and family. Son, Ralph Knieriem Jr. and friend Peach, and children, Ryan, Robbie and wife, Sarah, Russell, and Randy. Son, Jeffery Knieriem and wife Robin, and children Jamie and Janelle. Son, Daniel Knieriem and wife Sherrie, and children Chantal, Daniel, Tyler, and Emily. Daughter, Judy Knieriem, and friend Jaime, 6 Great Grandchildren, and special friend Rick Hager and family, Midlothian.

Ralph is a graduate of Beall High School, class of 1955. He played on the high school basketball team and made State Champions that year. After graduating high school, he signed up for the United States Navy, he was assigned to aircraft carrier USS Forrestol CV-59, where he worked as a jet mechanic from 1955 to 1957. Ralph married Doris in 1958, moved to Washington DC and worked for Capitol Airlines for a short period of time. They moved back to Midlothian where Ralph then worked for Pittsburg Plate and Glass. In 1960, Ralph went to work for the Kelly Springfield Tire Co. Where he worked until 1972 building passenger car tires. In 1968, Ralph started his own business, Knieriem Tire Service. He worked at the tire shop for a half a day and the rest of the day at the Kelly. From 1972 to 1978 Ralph worked for TGC Coal company as a drag line operator. From 1980 to1985 he worked for John Duckworth Coal Co. also as a drag line operator, all while still running the tire shop.

In 1994 Ralph sold the tire business to his son, Jeffery Knieriem but he was always there to lend a hand. Even after retiring, Ralph would spend his days at the tire shop, talking to customers, friends, helping with service work and mounting tires. Ralph loved to spend time in Florida with his wife Doris during the winter months. He loved the warm Florida weather, visiting and shopping at flea markets, fishing and talking with old friends, and working on his Ford Ranger. In his later years, Ralph bought a 1954 Buick Special which he restored when he came home from Florida during the summer months.

Ralph's health sadly declined in the past two years, even after making it through a triple heart bypass surgery and stomach surgery. For a year and a half, Ralph was in the care of Mountain City Nursing Home in Frostburg where he passed peacefully. Ralph is a lifetime member of Trinity Assembly of God in Midlothian. He dedicated and devoted his life to the Lord and his family. He wanted to be sure that his family would be taken care of. He is a great man with hard working hands, a loving heart, and he will be forever and greatly missed. The family would like to thank Mountain City Nursing for their care and compassion.

Friends will be received at the Sowers Funeral Home on Monday, August 8, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, with funeral services following with Jim Taylor officiating.

Inurnment will be at Maryland State Veterans Cemetery at Rocky Gap where American Legion Farrady Post 24 will accord military honors.