ELKO, Nev. – Joseph Charles Knaack, 50, of Elko, formerly of Ramsay, Mich., passed away Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 28, 2016, of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Joe was born on Sept. 14, 1966, in Wakefield, Mich., a son of William and Charlotte (Dal Ponte) Knaack. He attended school in Ramsay and Bessemer, Mich., and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in 1984.

Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and served in the Army Reserves for six years.

He began his mining career at the White Pine Mine in Michigan in 1986 and worked there until 1995 when the mine closed. He then moved to Elko and worked for Newmont, Barrick, and Tyson mining companies. Joe also traveled as a contract miner throughout the west and was currently a superintendent at SMD Corporation.

Joe loved his wife Terri, and children, his family, friends and his Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed doing mechanic work, hunting and will always be remembered as the person who would help anyone in need.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Terri; son, John (Nichole), grandchildren, Taylor Ann and Kaleb Charles Abramson; daughter, Maria Abramson, grandsons, Joel Wesley Graser and Noah John Foster; and son, Andrew (Tamara), and grandchildren, Aubrey Rose and Evan Andrew Knaack.

Also surviving are his parents, William and Charlotte Knaack, Marenisco, Mich.; brother, James (Jill) Knaack; nephews, Jeffrey and Jacob; brother, Mark Knaack (Shawn); niece, Bailey; cousins, Patty (Rick) Granato and many cousins.

Joseph was predeceased by his grandparents, Walter and Amelia Knaack and John and Rose Dal Ponte; two uncles; an aunt; and a cousin, John Knaack.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673, 605 W. Lead St., Bessemer, with Deacon Charles H. Gervasio officiating.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, with a military graveside service under the auspices of Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and Bessemer VFW Post 3673 Honor Guard.

A luncheon will be served at the Bessemer VFW following the military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any motorcycle charity of choice or to any organ transplant organization.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.

There will be a memorial service for Joe on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elko Convention Center. SMD mining is in charge of arrangements.