Clifton Paul Knight

Clifton Paul Knight, of Marion, IN, was called home to guard the streets of Heaven on August 29th, 2024.  Although he loved life and all of his time on earth, his service here was finished. Clif, (with one f), was born on March 14th, 1947.  He was born into Saint Paul Catholic Parish, where he remained a faithful member for more than 76 years. He graduated from Bennett High School, much to the dismay of the nuns, in 1965. Once his tour of duty as a student was complete, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  He enlisted during war time, in his own words, “because there was no way he was going to wait around and be drafted into the Army”. In 1966, Clif selflessly served his country in the Vietnam War, making many lifelong friends along the way. Clif served in the corps as an active duty Marine through 1970, although he remained a Marine through the rest of his life and will continue to do so in the life hereafter. In the true meaning of Semper Fi, Clif’s selflessness continued with his duty by working at the Marion Veterans Administration, with part of those years serving as a firefighter. Although most people would consider this a lifetime worth of servitude, Clif’s service to humanity did not stop after his time at the VA. Clif served his next tour of duty in life as a student at Indiana University, earning not one, but two degrees in nursing. Clif graduated Sigma Theta Tau, an honor reserved for only the best of the best nursing students. Clif worked tirelessly as a nurse for the remainder of his working life. Despite all of Clif’s accomplishments, his greatest, and the highlight of his life, was winning over and his subsequent marriage to his wife of almost 30 years, Laurie. Together, Clif and Laurie shared what can only be referred to as, "the good life." Many of those years were spent raising and caring for the best dogs in the entirety of the world, Auggie, Bubbie and Cassie. Aside from his loving wife, Clif is survived by 3 sisters, Carolyn Smith, Patricia & Bruce Peterson, Cindy & Ed Patton; 3 brothers, Gary & Lynn Knight, Vincent & Lisa Knight, Steve & Susan Knight; sisters-in-law, Vanessa Canada, and Jetty Spainhour; his previously adopted daughter, Kathie Metz of Virginia; as well as a gaggle of nieces and nephews who have committed to carrying on his tradition of corny jokes and ill placed comments. Clif was preceded in death by both parents, Frederick and Josephine Knight; one sister, Elizebeth Rains; brother-in-law, George Canada; sister-in-law, Betty Williamson; nephew, Sgt. 1st Class Colin J Bowen; and the three best friends who were certainly wagging their tails upon his arrival in heaven, Auggie, Cassie, and Bubbie. In Clif’s memory, it’s requested that you tell a joke to a stranger, any stranger. In addition to said joke, don’t spend your money on flowers or wind chimes, Clif’s request is that you make a nice donation, in his honor, to either the local no-kill animal shelter of your choice, Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, or the Washington Volunteer Fire Department 1513 N Bethlehem Rd, Marion, IN 46952. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, September 6, 2024 at St Paul Catholic Church 1031 W. Kem Rd., Marion, IN. Immediately following the time of visitation, a funeral mass will be held at 1:00 pm at the church with Father Daniel Koehl officiating. Burial will follow at a later date at Marion National Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN. Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.