Brian Kniff

Brian Douglas Kniff had a flair for life. He was outgoing to the point of being flamboyant. He had a quick wit and phenomenal memory, making him a lively personality whenever friends and family gathered. Being a people person and full of laughter, he easily endeared himself to his children, nieces and nephews and many of their friends who claimed “Uncle Brian” as their own.

Brian Douglas was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 14, 1959, at the height of the post-war baby boom. The advent of television enabled Americans to view the world from the comfort of their living rooms, and mainframe computers were revolutionizing society. He was the youngest child of Stewart and Lenore (Van Ess) Kniff, growing up on the city’s west side with his sister Lynn and brother Kevin.

As a boy he attended and later worked at the Maranatha Bible Conference in Muskegon, a place filled with many pleasant memories for both him and the family. Brian attended Covell Elementary and then Union High School but transferred to Kenowa Hills High School, where he played football and graduated with the class of 1977. Then for three years, he studied at Hope College in nearby Holland before settling into construction work, first at Subsurface Construction Company and later with Utility Construction Company. But it was an eventful college Spring Break in Florida that set the course of Brian’s life for many years to come.

Brian met a young woman named Michelle when both landed in Florida for a week of fun in the sun. The scene was common enough for college students on school break, but the acquaintance grew into a dating relationship, and five years later, the two were married on February I, 1985. They welcomed two children into their lives—Mitchell and Jennifer—and made their home in Grandville. However, after 12 years of marriage, Brian and Michelle divorced, and Brian lived in a number of residences before moving into a home on Dean Lake at Schimperle Drive NE. The location supported several of his many leisure time activities: fishing, boating, jet skiing and riding on his pontoon boat. Whenever someone was driving with Brian, his "short-cuts" were met with huge sighs as these "short-cuts" often took ten times longer or they usually got lost!

A few of his favorite things to eat included pizza and prime rib, which literally was all he usually ate! Brian took full advantage of outdoor sports and hobbies. He liked to snowmobile and golf, until a knee injury slowed him down. He hunted pheasant in South Dakota and traveled to Florida and Cancun. He learned to fly, but on the more sedate side, he piloted model airplanes and played shuffleboard. Whatever Brian found to do, he managed to have fun. He was the life of any party and wasn’t bashful about singing and dancing. The music of Rod Stewart kept him “forever young.”

As if in keeping with the decades in which he was born and came of age, Brian lived in the past, loving the oldies in music and in film. He collected antiques, most notably his 1957 Chevrolet. That sweet ride, along with his humor and personality, made him a favorite of a younger generation who called him “Uncle,” whether they were related to him or not. He lived by his favorite catch phrase, "lighten up, Francis", and if he could, he'd be saying it as many times as he could, now. Brian’s unexpected passing on Thursday, May 31, 2012 will be deeply felt by family and friends, who remember him as an easy going father and fun loving man.

Mr. Brian D. Kniff, age 52 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was preceded in death by his brother Kevin “Chip” Kniff in 1995. Surviving are his children, Mitchell Kniff and Jennifer Kniff and their mother, Michelle; parents, Stewart and Lenore Kniff; sister, Lynn Olree; nephews and nieces, Jason, Kari, Amy, and Chris Olree, Stephanie Kniff Pringle, and Katie Kniff Walsh; sister-in-law, Barb McCulla Kniff; as well as his beloved cats. Brian was owner of Utility Construction Co. of Sparta. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11AM at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW with interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Friends may meet the family on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8PM. Memorial contributions to the Mel Trotter Ministries, 225 Commerce SW, 49503 or Maranatha Bible Conference, 4759 Lake Harbor Rd, Muskegon, 49441 would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory or photo of Brian or to sign his online guest book.