Robert L. "Bob" Knotts , age 81 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home on Sunday, December 1, 2019 following an extended illness.  He was born July 22, 1938 in Elwood, the son of Vernon Knotts and Joe and Nellie (McQuitty) Davis.  Bob attended Wendell L. Willkie High School with the class of 1956, but enlisted in the U.S. Army as soon as he could to serve from 1955 to 1958 in the post-Korean War era.  He married Carolyn S. Borst on February 20, 1960, and they shared over 59 years of marriage together.  Bob was the owner and operator of the Saf-T-Aid Company in Elwood for 20 years and retired in 2008.  Prior to that, he worked as the plant manager of Service & Materials in Elwood for 9 years.

Bob was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood and a member of the Knights of Columbus at the church.  He was an avid woodworker and enjoyed collecting and restoring antique tractors for many years which he enjoyed showcasing in local parades.  Bob was especially well-known for being "Santa's Helper" during the Christmas season every year for nearly 7 years, and he enjoyed countless visits from children in the community at his home.  He nearly always had a smile on his face, and he was devoted to providing for his family in every way.  Bob will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bob's family legacy includes his wife, Carolyn S. (Borst) Knotts of Elwood; daughter, Angela S. (husband Mike) Phenis of Markleville; son, Bradley R. (wife Cindy) Knotts of Oakland City; 3 siblings, Virginia Ozenbaugh of Elwood, Danny Joe (wife Molly) Knotts of Wabash, and Gary (wife Sue) Knotts of Fishers; 3 grandchildren, Alicia (husband Jerry) Macke of Frankton, Justin Phenis of Middletown, and Chris (wife Kylee) Phenis of Kokomo; 9 great-grandchildren, Jake, Preston, Anna, Ashlyn, Cohen, Wesley, Allison, Landon, and Zach; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Bob was preceded in death by his parents and 4 siblings, Phyllis Johns, MaryLou Walker, Delores Barnes, and Verna Mae Nichols.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am Friday, December 6, 2019 at St. Joseph Church in Elwood with Father Dan Duff officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Elwood where military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army and Elwood V.F.W. honor guard.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 8 pm on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood and will include a Rosary prayer service at 7:00 pm.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Elwood Shop-With-A-Cop program through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.