Arthur R. Ferringer

Arthur R. Ferringer, 96, of Knox passed away on June 5 after a sudden decline. He was born in Brookville on Christmas Eve in 1928, the son of Rueben Phillip Ferringer and Grace Elizabeth Knappenberger. He was the youngest of ten children.

A WW2 veteran, Art served in the US Army Air Force, the 550th Regiment. His older brothers were serving in Europe, and Art was desperate to serve. In order to go into the military at age 17, his mother had to sign for him. He did basic training at the San Antonio base and in Biloxi before shipping out. His first stop was lowa Jima where he saw the iconic Mount Suribachi. He served on Guam and later in Japan. He fell in love with all things Japanese at that time and spent the rest of his life reading and studying his books about Japan. He was

a student of the Holocaust as well.

When discharged from the military, Art went to Joliet, Illinois where he worked at DuPont Explosives, which had geared up once again to make torpedo explosives, this time for the Korean War. That is where he met his future wife, Lou, who was a chemist. Art delivered floor samples to the lab.

A well-known Knox businessman, he was owner of Art's Market for over 4 decades. He later worked at Source in the samples department. After retiring, he devoted himself to woodworking, reading, and visiting friends.

Art is survived by his children, Rebecca Sanchez (Luis), Dan (Pam), Ted (Nancy), Jeff (Tammy), and Elizabeth Tracey (Bill). He is also survived his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Thomas Sanchez; Mark and Danny Ferringer and Cassie Weaver; Teddy Ferringer; Zac Ferringer, and Alexandria and Liam Tracey,  as well as numerous great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Art was predeceased by his wife, Lou and their son Tom and his nine siblings.

Art was a very social guy and a great storyteller. As a person who never met a stranger, he had a wide circle of friends. Even when housebound, he had green tea, cookies, and stories several times a week with Bethany Miller, his Ascera personal attendant, and Brittany McNaughton, his Ascera nurse. They called it "the club". Special friends Randy Bell and Bob Larocca often joined in, while visiting Art on other days for coffee, cookies, and conversation. The family extends deep gratitude to Bethany, Brittany, Randy, and Bob for their devotion to Art.

As per Art’s wishes, there will be no viewing. A graveside military service will be held at a time to be announced.

Anyone wishing to create a memorial for Art should do so at the Knox Public Library in honor of his love of reading and learning.

Art often said, "Happiness is just a degree of contentment." For those who were with him these last few years, his trademark reply when asked how he was doing was "I have no complaints, not a one. Really, my life is wonderful."

Arrangements are under the direction of William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc. of Knox.

Online condolences may be sent to Art’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arthur R. Ferringer, please visit our floral store.