John & Diane Knitter

JOHN FREDRICK KNITTER - kind, gentle, forever patient and very slow to anger; stalwart friend and mentor; left this world on June 10, 2024, at the young age of 82, due to congestive heart failure. Sadly, just three short months later, due to a very long battle with Alzheimer's Disease, Diane Lynn Knitter also left this world to be with her beloved John on September 5, 2024. A testament to her boundless love for him. John was born on March 6, 1942, in Tucson, Arizona, and spent his younger years growing up on a ranch with his parents, Paul and Belva Knitter, along with his younger brother, William Knitter. John's teenage years were spent in the Riverside and San Bernardino County areas of Southern California. John later moved to Indio, California and began his adult professional life as a mortgage broker with Directors Mortgage. It was there he met and started his life with his wife Neoma Knitter. John and Neoma were blessed with two children, Michael and Barbara. John and Neoma eventually parted ways but have remained lifelong friends. While living in Indio, John joined the "old Indio Elks Lodge #1643", in downtown Indio, 61 years ago at the age of 21, and thus began his lifelong commitment to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), which was formed in 1868, and its mission, began. That mission, necessary to any memory of John, is that The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve its people and communities through is benevolent programs, as long as the organization exists. Ten years later, at the age of 31, John became the youngest Exalted Ruler in the State of California. He initiated many who would give much to the Elks, including another member of the Indio Lodge, later to become a member of Yreka Elks Lodge #1980, his good friend, Courtney Winte. Then, low and behold, one day John disappeared from all non-necessary Elks functions as he had met the love of his life, Diane "Schuffy" Schuff. To the astonishment of many, it was true. John and Diane thereafter began their epic love story. DIANE KNITTER was born Diane Lynn Schuff on June 12,1951, in Davenport, Iowa, the only child to Roy and Wilma Schuff. Raised by exacting parents and near the Imana Colonies, Diane was imbued with an appreciation of manners and fine items and became an experienced piano player. But more than that, Diane knew the importance of friends and sharing both good and bad times with those friends. Diane graduated from the University of Iowa on July 27, 1973, not only with a bachelor's degree but also earning herself a teaching degree. Diane was a well-traveled young woman for that era, thoroughly enjoying her many adventures throughout both the US and abroad. But one passion she carried with her until her disease intervened, was her absolute LOVE for her Iowa Hawkeyes. When Iowa games were on, there better not have been a noise from anyone, unless, of course, it was to root for her home team. Diane married John, the love of her life, on August 2, 1986, in one of her favorite places, the Arboretum of the Crystal Cathedral, in Garden Grove, California. Totally devoted to John, Diane was not only John's life partner, but she also became his right hand in his mortgage business along with charitable works for the BPOE. Within the Elks, Diane became indispensable to the organization's efforts and successes. And, her annual New Years Day 'Hoppin John' was looked forward to every year. In 1988, John traveled to Yreka to visit his good friend Courtney Winte. John looked around at the community along with the land while also visiting the Yreka Elks Lodge #1980. John liked what he saw and decided to move to Yreka with Diane's wholehearted support to open a branch of Directors Mortgage. Upon moving to Yreka, John and Diane became trusted and valued members of the business community. John and Diane also became committed, valued members of the Yreka Elks Lodge. John served in many Elk official positions. Not only for the local Yreka Elks Lodge, but the Northern California District of Elks and state level offices. And, in times of need, John returned to serve as an officer in the Yreka Elks Lodge. For years, John coached the Elks Ritual Competition. A competition requiring Elk's members to commit to memory and recital the Elks ideals and commitments to American society, children and veterans. Along with their lodge activities, they also enjoyed traveling extensively and were VIFP (very important fun person) members of the Carnival Cruise Line, and of course they enjoyed working side by side in their mortgage office, as well as spending time with their beloved Shar Pei dogs. John and Diane were preceded in death by both their sets of parents along with John's son, Michael Knitter. They are survived by daughter/stepdaughter, Barbara Knitter and John's brother, William Knitter. Diane is survived by numerous cousins back in her home state of Iowa. Rest well dear friends and rejoice in the comfort that you are once again together. A celebration of life for John was held on July 18, 2024, at the Yreka Elks Lodge. No further formal services are planned at this time.

John & Diane Knitter

March 6, 1942 - June 10, 2024