2023 - 2024

Gordon Carmichael - 2023

Gordon Carmichael is the Council Financial Secretary and Food For Families Director. He served as a weekly parish server at the weekend 4pm Mass. He was event chair for the Council Super Bowl Food collection event in Feb. and chaired the Council Knight at the Mustangs and Santa Breakfast events. He assisted the Council by serving as a hosting Council member and event chair for the 4th Degree Assembly 569 February dinner meeting, the annual parish Chicken Dinner in September. He also assisted with the Council’s Good For Families donation delivery to Catholic Charities in November. Gordon also serves as the Faithful Comptroller of St Joseph Fourth Degree Assembly 569. Where he also serves in the Honor Guard. His support for this Council and Assembly truly spanned the entire year. Congratulations to Gorgon Carmichael for being selected as the St Francis Xavier Council Knight of the Year for 2023.

2022 - 2023

John Morin - 2022

John Morin is the Council elected Chancellor and Faith In Action Community Director who gave consistent & reliable support for the Council’s community mission throughout the year. He was a year-long regular Volunteer at MOSAIC Life Care and served as a weekly parish Hospitality Minister. He directly supported the Council Basket Ball Free Throw competition in Jan. and chaired the Council Membership drives in Mar. & Nov. He volunteered his time to support the SFX School Auction in April, the Parish Garage Sale in June, and attended the KC Dinner theater in July. He assisted the Council by serving as a hosting Council member for the 4th Degree Assembly 569 August meeting, the annual parish Chicken Dinner in September and by chairing the Drive For Developmental Disabilities in October. He also coordinated the Council’s Food For Families and Coats For Kids donation delivery to Catholic Charities in November. He wrapped up his volunteer efforts this year by assisting with the distribution of Kringles at the Breakfast with Santa event in December. His support for this Council truly spanned the entire year. Congratulations to John Morin for being selected as the St Francis Xavier Council Knight of the Year for 2022.

2021 - 2022

Leonard Archer - 2021

Len Archer exhibits the values desired in the Knight of the Year Award by showing exemplary status in our community. Len holds the officer position of Council Deputy Grand Knight and serves as the Council Program Director. He also chairs the Communications and Technology committees and, in this role, he maintains and updates the current interactive web site and email communications for the council. He donates many hours of service to schedule, publish and communicate activities for the council including the Council Monthly Newsletter, the council website, the Council Knight and Family of the Month recognition program, Council and parish events and the monthly interactive web calendar for all Council events. During the early months of this year he performed several innovative actions that allowed our council to continue basic operations under the imposed COVID-19 restrictions by expending significant personal time and effort to develop methods for our Council and Assembly to adapt to the COVID-19 meeting restrictions. Len chaired the Council response and participation in Fr Joseph Miller’s Funeral, the Parish Chicken dinner setup and fry cook team, the Council Annual Memorial Mass for Deceased Knights, Fr Bill Walter’s 60th Anniversary Reception, the 4th Degree Virtual Exemplification, the Danish Kringle Sales Fundraiser, and the Council Christmas Social and Awards Dinner. He is an active member of the Fourth Degree, St Joseph General Assembly 569 where he currently holds the officer position of Faithful Scribe. He also maintains the Assembly’s webpage and is an active and frequent participant member of their Honor Guard. Congratulations Len Archer on being selected as Council 15126 Knight of The Year.

2020 - 2021

John Morin - 2020

John Morin is the recipient of St Francis Xavier Council 2020 Knight of the Year. He achieved the Fourth-Degree Knight level in June and serves as the Council’s Chancellor. During the past year he has significantly stepped up his game as a member of this Council. He serves as Council Community Director, and Chaired the Council Membership Committee, the Thanksgiving Food Basket event, the Coats For Kids drive, and the Annual Memorial Mass For Deceased Knights. He is a Parish Hospitality Minister and serves on the Council’s Unified Degree induction team. He has become a valued and reliable member of the council. He volunteers on a regular basis within the community at Mosaic Hospital. Congratulations to John Morin on being selected as Council 15126 Knight Of The Year.

2019 - 2020

Ronald J. Olinger - 2019

Ron Olinger is recipient of the SFX Council - Knight of the Year for 2019. Ron has distinguished himself while serving in the officer position of Council Treasurer by providing reliable financial services in support of our council activities especially during our March events to include the Parish Lenten dinners and Enchilada sales weekend. His independent, efficient and reliable performance is noteworthy. He is the primary individual responsible for administering the Council’s operating funds account and provides steady leadership in maintaining our annual budget planning and execution. He willingly provides his expertise when called upon to do so and is readily available to provide his time and talents for our Council activities. He also volunteers his time as a Hospitality Minister for Parish Masses. He is a Third Degree member Knight of our Council who can be counted on to attend all Council Business and Officer meetings on a regular basis. Congratulations to Ron Olinger on being selected as Council 15126 Knight of the Year for 2019.

2019 - 2020

Leo M. Violett - 2019

Mike Violett is recipient of the SFX Council - Knight of the Year for 2019. He is a Past Grand Knight and is currently serving as the Council’s Two-Year Trustee. He is a Coordinator of the Parish Bi-monthly Blood Drives. During the month of August, he was co-event chair of the SFX Parish Garage Sale sponsored by Council 15126. This first-time council event was a great success due directly to his personal efforts. The proceeds from this single event will go a long way toward funding the many charitable projects of our council this next year. He serves the parish as a Eucharistic Minister and makes personal visits to the sick & bereaved. He actively supports and routinely contributes to the Knights of Columbus Missouri Special Olympics and the Food for Families programs and is an active member of St Joseph General Assembly 569 in the 4th Degree serving in the current officer position as Faithful Captain. He is a loyal and reliable worker supporting all our council dinners and special events. . Congratulations on being selected as Knight of the Year.

2018 - 2019

John Bitunjac - 2018

John Bitunjac exhibits the values desired in the Knight of the Year Award by showing exemplary status in our community. He holds the officer position of Council Deputy Grand Knight and participates regularly in all council events (Faith in Action, Walk for Life, Tootsie Roll drive, parish dinners etc. He is the Council Program Director and Youth Services Director, and as such was the coordinator of the newly established Council Faith In Action Program for 2018. He coordinated the Basketball Free Throw, Essay, and Keeping Christ in Christmas Poster Contests which were all successfully completed during this year. He also served as the Director of the District #2 Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw Competition and accompanied the category winners to the Regional Competition in Kansas City. He is a Mass Server and a Eucharistic Minister. He is Head of the Parish Building and Grounds Committee and has dedicated many personal hours to parish facility maintenance. He is a member of St Joseph 4th Degree General Assembly 569 and an active Honor Guard member. He serves as a SFX Elementary School substitute teacher and as a Marriage Preparation - Lead Couple Team along with his wife Nyla. He donated a personally handcrafted wood and glass display case for use as the Council awards and mementos display cabinet in the Parish Center. John Bitunjac is solidly involved in nearly every aspect of council activities and is hereby awarded the Council 15126 Knight of The Year for 2018.

2017 - 2018

Len Archer - 2017

Len Archer exhibits the values desired in the Knight of the Year Award by showing exemplary status in our community. Len holds the officer position of Council Recorder and serves on the Membership Committee and Council Admissions Degree team. He also chairs the Public Relations and Communications committee and in this role he maintains and updates the current interactive web site and email communications for the council. He donates many hours of service to schedule, publish and communicate activities for the council including the SFX Parish Wing Ding, the Council Knight and Family of the Month recognition program, Council Lenten dinners and Parish bulletin announcements for all Council events. He is a member of the Fourth Degree, St Joseph General Assembly 569 where he currently holds the position of Faithful Scribe. He also maintains the Assembly webpage and is an active and frequent participant member of their Honor Guard. Len also volunteers his time and talents with several various organizations within the community and parish including Community Missions, the St Joseph Order of Malta, St Joseph Faith in Action, St Joseph Life Walk, the SFX Elementary Advancement Committee, engaged Couple Marriage Preparation and he and his wife are the current Presidents of the St Francis Xavier Parish Mr. and Mrs. Club. Congratulations Len Archer on being presented Council 15126 Knight of The Year.

2017 - 2018

Ray Heitman - 2017

Ray Heitman exhibits the values desired in the Knight of the Year Award by showing exemplary status in our community. He currently holds the officer position of Council Chancellor and is the Service Director of Community. He helps to create and bring great ideas into practice within the Council. During the past two years he chaired and organized the first two SFX Parish Wing Ding Ministry Challenge events. He volunteers at all council projects & events. He is a current member of the SFX Stewardship Committee. Ray has donated or discounted food for many Council dinners. He has been a volunteer participant in the St Joseph Walk for Life event and serves as a Mass Lector and Eucharistic Minister for the Parish. He coordinates our council’s annual Memorial Mass for deceased Knights and our Corporate Communion Masses aimed at better parish Public Relations and new member recruitment. He was originator and Council chairperson for the recent Thanksgiving Food Box project which provided 40 families with food for a complete Thanksgiving holiday meal through the Catholic Charities Family Assistance Program. He was the coordinator of our recent Council Dinner Theater event and surprise birthday party for our Council Chaplain and Pastor Fr. Joe Miller. He is a member of the Fourth Degree, St Joseph General Assembly 569. Congratulations Ray Heitman on being presented Council 15126 Knight of The Year.

2016 - 2017

LEO HOEFER - 2016

Leo Hoefer exhibits the values desired in the Knight of the Year Award by showing exemplary status in our community. Leo is a Past Grand Knight, 3-Year Trustee and the Service Committee Membership Director. He was selected by the St Joseph News Press as a member of the "20 Who Count" recognition. Leo attends mass daily and serves one week a month and any other times the Liturgical Committee needs help. He is also a Eucharistic Minister who can be found every Tues. and Thurs. morning volunteering to work at the SFX House of Bread food pantry. He provided some personal carpentry services within the pantry facility by constructing a needed safety railing to accommodate access for elderly clients. Leo served as a Discovering Christ Series table leader for the parish. Leo frequently volunteers time as a 4th Degree Honor Guard member to appear at numerous community and church related events. Leo readily volunteers to provide support for all of our council events. Leo has provided dedicated service to the SFX Parish Sunrise Fellowship Breakfast committee and is known as a person who will help you any way he can. Congratulations Leo Hoefer on being presented Council 15126 Knight of The Year by MO State Deputy Joseph Rosenthal.

2015 - 2016

ROGER ROHRER - 2015

Council 15126 Knight Of The Year for 2015 was presented to Roger Rohrer for his exemplary service as council Treasurer and for his many other notable individual contributions to and service toward the mission of St Francis Xavier Parish. Great job Roger!!!

2014 - 2015

Leo Violett - 2014

2013 - 2014

Dan Deatherage - 2013

2012 - 2013

Gordon Carmichael - 2012

2011 - 2012

John Catron - 2011

2010 - 2011

Larry Bahr - 2010