Col. Charles F. Knierim, Usaf, Ret.

Col. Charles F. Knierim, USAF, Ret. MACON- Charles Frederick Knierim, 94, of Macon, died Tuesday, April 14, 2009. Col. Knierim was born July 5, 1914 in Bryceland, La., to Thomas Albert and Myrtle Henson Knierim. He grew up in Natchitoches, La., and attended Louisiana Normal College. Col. Knierim joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at 19 years of age as a Private and retired as a Colonel from the United States Air Force. He served in both North Africa and Europe during World War II and was responsible for the aerial reconnaissance that remapped Europe following the war. During the Korean conflict he commanded a reconnaissance squadron. During his 35-year career Col. Knierim served in numerous command and staff positions to include commanding several reconnaissance squadrons and being a member of the faculty of the National War College. He retired as Commander of Charleston (S.C.) Air Force Base. He was a lifetime member of the Order of the Daedalions. His military decorations include Master Pilot Wings and the Legion of Merit w/OLC. Col. Knierim was a member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church and the Solomon Fellowship Sunday School Class. He was a member of the Macon Golden Kiwanis Club. Col. Knierim was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Mary Ragsdale Knierim, his brothers Thomas Albert, Jr. and William Robert, and his sister Cornelia Knierim. Col. Knierim is survived by his daughters Jane Knierim McDaniel, and her husband David, of Social Circle, Ga., and Alice Knierim of Macon; three grandchildren, Katherine McDaniel Hiu, and her husband Eric, Maj., U.S. Army, of Portsmouth, Va., Matthew Frederick Knierim McDaniel, and his wife, Dorothy, of Columbus, Ga., and Thomas Roberts McDaniel, and his wife Suzanne, of Statham, Ga.; and three great granddaughters, Jesse Nicole Filyaw-Hiu, Alexa Grace Malia Hiu, and Ana Claire Leilani Hiu of Portsmouth, Va. A memorial service will be held at 2:00, Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Social Circle United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Rollins officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mulberry Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, Post Office Box 149, Macon, Ga., 31202, or Social Circle United Methodist Church Building Fund, Post Office Box 296, Social Circle, Ga., 30025. Friends may sign the online register www.hartsmort.com Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street has charge of arrangements.