Arnold D. Knecht, age 90, of Albion (Big Lake) and formerly of Bippus, departed this life Monday, April 18, 2016. He was born an April Fool baby in Huntington County in 1926, the son of Lyman and Lenchen (Diefenbaugh) Knecht. He graduated from Bippus High School in 1944. He was owner and operator of the Knecht Feed Mill for over 50 years. In 1944 he married the love of his life Edith Jackson and they shared 58 years of marriage. It was a great loss to him when she died in 2003.
He was a 60 year member of Amity Lodge # 483 F.&A.M in Huntington, Fort Wayne Scottish Rite and Mizpah Shrine. He served 2 terms in the US Army (WWII and Korea), where he earned 2 bronze stars and clusters for exceptional meritorious conduct in Italy and Korea. He was past commander of American Legion Post #7. He was a hard worker, an avid fisherman, loved to hunt mushrooms and enjoyed life to the fullest. He had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughter Karen (Robert) Wenger of New Haven, 2 grandchildren Kyle Wenger of Fishers and Holly (Ted) Fiepel of New Haven, 7 great-grandchildren Alex, Nicole & Oliva Wenger and Todd, Austin, Brooke and Erika Feipel, and good friends Helen Bushey and Don Weber. In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by a son Robin Knecht.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 22 from 2-4 pm. A masonic service will be held at 3:00 pm, and the funeral service at 4:00 pm all at New Hope (St. John’s) United Church of Christ, Bippus. Pastor Susan Beamer will officiate. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Bippus.
Preferred memorials are to New Hope (St. John’s) Church or Honor Flight c/o Deal-Rice Funeral Home, 338 E. Washington St., Huntington, IN 46750.
Online condolences to dealricefuneralhomes.com.