Evan James Knoblauch

Evan James Knoblauch, 20, of Oglesby, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 10, 2019, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian burial celebrating Evan’s Life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, July 20, 2019, in St Bede Abbey Church. Rev Ronald Margherio OSB, a friend of Evan’s, will officiate. Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be Friday, July 19, 2019, in the St Bede Abbey Church from 4-8 PM. There will be additional visitation on Saturday morning from 10 -11 AM, prior to the mass, in the Church. Ptak Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Evan was born on March 26, 1999, in Spring Valley, Illinois, to James and Susan Kaye (Querciagrossa) Knoblauch. Evan attended Oglesby Public Schools and Saint Bede Academy, graduating in 2017, shortly after his diagnosis. During his grade school years, Evan participated in youth soccer, baseball, wrestling, and football. While at Saint Bede Academy, Evan was a member of the football, baseball, and bowling teams. He was also a Student Ambassador, Eucharistic Minister and a member of numerous social clubs. Evan formed many strong, lasting relationships during his grade and high school years with coaches, teachers, priests, staff and students. He loved and cherished these relationships. His close circle of friends and the community at large gave him unending support during his long health struggle. When his cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment deferred his attendance at Illinois State University, where he intended to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice, Evan changed course and completed certification to become an Oglesby Volunteer Fireman. Serving his community through the fire department became very important to him. He also worked with his uncle and cousin at their law firm. True to Evan’s spirit, he became a beloved colleague at both the fire department and law firm. Evan’s love and respect for his family, friends, and colleagues were always evident. He is survived by his beloved family – his mother, Susan, his father, Jim, his sister, Morgan, and his canine companions, Tyson and Remi, all of Oglesby; his paternal grandparents, Rod and Dolly Knoblauch, of Oglesby; and his aunts and uncles – Kevin and Patty Knoblauch of Ottawa, Kim Knoblauch of Oglesby, Doug and Heather Knoblauch of Oglesby, Jay Querciagrossa of Oglesby, Patrick and Mary Jo Barry of Peru and Keith and Julia Cain of Princeton. He is also survived by numerous cousins, who meant the world to him. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Jack and Sue Querciagrossa, his step-grandmother, Della Cain Querciagrossa, and his paternal uncle, Michael Knoblauch. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Bede Academy or the Oglesby Fire Department. Evan touched many lives and was a living example of kindness, courage, and compassion. The good he did and the grace with which he lived his life will live on in each of us forever.