Verlyn Randall “Randy” Knowles, of Middleville, unexpectedly joined his wife, Nancy, in Heaven on December 16, 2020. Randy, son of Orno L. and Lorna I. (Lipscomb) Knowles was born at his parent’s home in Freeport, on May 17, 1934. He was raised in Hastings, where he attended public school, graduating in 1952. He held a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Texas State University, a master’s degree from Trinity University of Texas, and a specialist degree from Western Michigan University. Randy married the former Nancy Ann Pennock of Nashville on May 12, 1956. They shared almost 47 wonderful years together before her passing in 2003. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1953. He served in New York, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas, Korea and Pakistan. He retired from the Air Force in 1972 and was employed by Delton Kellogg Public Schools as a high school counselor for 25 years, retiring in 1998. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Air Force Association, the Air Force Museum Foundation, Gamma Theta Epsilon (Geographical Honor Society), National Rifle Association, the Gun River Skeet and Trap Club, Special Military Active and Retired Travel Club (SMART), serving as president of the Great Lakes Chapter. He loved to hunt, fish, shoot skeet, travel, and boating at his Gun Lake residence. He enjoyed military reunions, where he had the opportunity to reflect on the past with those he had served alongside. Along with Nancy, he was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Myrna (Jenny) Handley of Concord, California. He is survived by his sons, David R. (Linda) of Alto, Larry D. (Karen) of Middleville and daughter, Karen M. (Patrick) Hughes of Lacey, Washington; eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren; sister, Donna McCarthy of LaMarque, TX, and significant other, Sandra Nagele of Port Richey, FL. A private memorial will be held December 23, 2020, with a full military honors burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery being planned for 2021. Memorial contributions may be made to the Yankee Springs Veterans Memorial, c/o Yankee Springs Township/Veteran’s Memorial Fund, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, MI 49333. Lauer Family Funeral Home 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings has been entrusted to care for the family. Please share condolences with the family at wwww.lauerfh.com