GENE KNIGHT

CAIRO, Ill. -- Gene Knight of Clinton, Iowa, former teacher and coach at Cairo High School, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997, following an extended illness. He was 67.

He was born March 9, 1929, in Chicago, son of Wesley and Daisy Knight. He and Mary Ethridge were married April 25, 1955, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Knight was a graduate of Cairo High School, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

A teacher for 30 years, Knight taught physical education, driver education, and coached football, wrestling and track at schools in Cairo, Lincoln and Port Byron, before moving to Clinton in 1969. His most recent post was physical education teacher at Horace Mann and Elijah Buell elementary schools.

Knight received the Outstanding Man of the Year Award in Cairo in 1964, and was grand marshall of Riverboat Days Parade in Clinton in 1990. He was a member of Musicians Local 79 in Clinton, Iowa State Education Association, National Education Association, Clinton Wrestling Club, and St. Irenaeus Church.

He served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and received a National Defense Service Medal for saving a serviceman at sea. He appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show as a drummer in 1954, after winning an All-Navy talent contest.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Deb Sass of Clinton; four sons, Mike Knight of Belton, Mo., Jeff Knight of Crystal Lake, Steve Knight of Longmont, Colo., Dan Knight of Sycamore; and eight grandchildren.

Friends may call at Cannon Funeral Home in Clinton from 3-8 p.m. today, and at St. Irenaeus Church in Clinton from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday.

Burial will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the church cemetery.