MOUNT MORRIS – On Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, Karl Black, loving husband, father of two children passed away at the age of 79. Karl was born on Aug. 26, 1940 in Oregon, to Pete and Lillian Black (Merritt). He graduated from Sunny Slope High School in Phoenix, Ariz. in 1958. He worked in the grocery business for 52 years, ending his career in Mount Morris. On Nov. 26, 1966, he married Linda Knecht. They raised a son, Derek, and daughter, Tammie.
Karl had a passion for sports especially football, basketball and baseball. His love for sports began at a young age and he especially enjoyed his time playing on the Sunny Slope basketball team. They won their conference three years in a row! If there was a game on TV, he was watching it, cheering out loud and yelling at the refs. He loved to cheer on the ASU Sundevils, the UW Huskies and anything his kids played! Thanks to Michael Jordan’s book, Karl discovered a love of reading and soon became a fan of the Clive Cussler series as well. Karl also was a music lover. He played his music so loud that the neighborhood got to enjoy classics like James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Lou Rawls and lately the Jimmys. He went to many concerts with Linda such as Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert. Exploration was in his genes, whether it was a nature hike with Whale Watchers, a bus trip to Nashville, a weekend in Galena or a trip abroad to Costa Rica, Karl loved to learn about new places and cultures. If you could describe a place as quaint, he especially wanted to go there.
Community was important to Karl. He was a member of Kiwanis, the Methodist Men’s Club, Whale Watchers and Old News (history club). He looked forward to the local potlucks and bingo games, especially when the prizes were candy. Karl loved spending time with family. He was quick to smile and crack a dad joke. He had a heart for others, especially his granddaughters Lilly and Luci. When they were little, he could be found playing Barbies or having a tea party with them and loving every minute of it.
Karl was preceded in death by his grandparents, Peter and Alice, parents Pete and Lillian, and niece Kristy Burger.
He is survived by his wife, Linda, two children, Derek and Tammie, two granddaughters Lilly and Luci, brother, Gary (Pam) and sisters Judy and Carolyn.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 at the Disciples United Methodist Church in Mount Morris at 3 p.m. with Rev. Julie Bunt officiating. Visitation was on Saturday from 2 p.m. until service time in the Church.
In lieu of flowers memorials to Mt. Morris Public Library
