CREAL SPRINGS -- Neil D. Knight, 79, passed away at 5:49 a.m., Monday, March 14, 2011, in Herrin Hospital in Herrin. Neil, the son of Clarence E. and Thelma Ruth (Chamness) Knight, was born April 15, 1931, in Mount Vernon. He was united in marriage to Eva Lee Sinks on April 8, 1951, in Mount Vernon and together they shared more than 53 years of marriage until her death June 27, 2004. Neil answered the call of the nation by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, and after his period of faithful service, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Airman First Class. Neil was an avid reader and especially loved reading science fiction books. He enjoyed "Cats" and other theater productions. He was a baseball fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Southern Illinois Miners of Marion. He always enjoyed following the activities of his family and especially of his grandson, Dustin, who was an all-star high school basketball player and received a basketball scholarship at Shawnee Community College and is now a teacher at Washington Grade School in Marion. He enjoyed eating at Western Sizzler where his grandson, Christopher, works. His family was most important to him and he always enjoyed the times they shared together, especially with his grandchildren, and he enjoyed the company of his dog, Bear. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by three sons, Duane Knight of Marion, Darrell Knight of Creal Springs and Larry Knight of Herrin; three daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Gary Bush and Lola and Robert Wolaver, all of Marion, and Rita Diane and Michael Simmons of Creal Springs; grandsons, Christopher Knight and Dustin Knight, who he raised as his own sons after the death of their father, Jerry Knight; 12 other grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Herbert Denham of Mount Vernon; other family members and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Eva; son, Jerry Knight on May 27, 2001; granddaughter, Robin Knight in January 1993, and two brothers, Noel Dean Chamness and Marvin Knight. Arrangements for Neil D. Knight have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., in Marion. A time of visitation for family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 18, at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19, in Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home with the Rev. Keith Owens presiding. Interment will be in Webb Cemetery of Tunnel Hill. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by members of VFW Heyde-Pillow Post No. 1301, American Legion Post No. 147 and Illinois National Guard Flag Detail Members, all of Marion. For more information or to leave an online condolence or memory, visit www.wilsonmcreynolds.com.