CONWAY, S.C. – Duane Edward Knaffle, 64, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., passed away Friday, Feb. 27, at Medstar Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in Detroit, Mich., Sept. 20, 1944, a son of the late Harry Emil Knaffle and Frieda Bertha Kohnke Knaffle. He was also predeceased by his wife, Pauline Pinard Knaffle, who died March 30, 2008.

He was a graduate of Bentley High School, Livonia, Mich., in 1962, and retired from the U.S. Navy as a master chief petty officer after 27 years of service. He was a life-member of the DAV; loved traveling and gambling; bingo; fishing, being on the water; the Detroit Lions and he never met a stranger.

Surviving are two sons, James Roger Knaffle and wife, Sloan, of Murrells Inlet, S.C., and Michael H. Knaffle and wife, Kellie, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; four grandchildren, Sloan Smith Knaffle, James Roger Knaffle Jr., Ashley Nicole Knaffle and Katlyn Diane Knaffle; a brother, Dale Harry Knaffle and his wife, Karen, of Gladwin, Mich.; and a sister-in-law, Jacqueline Pinard Smith and her husband, Eugene, of Lewiston.

The family would like to thank the staff of Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Medstar and MUSC, and a special thank you to Dr. John Kratz and Dr. Amit V. Pande for the exceptional love and care given to Duane.

Copy the Story Link