Mark Anthony McKnight, 57, Gas City, passed away unexpectedly at 7:24 am on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. He was born into a pastor’s home on Friday, December 27, 1963 in Ft. Myers, Florida, the seventh child of Charles and Wilma (Case) McKnight. On October 9, 1981, when he was 17 years old, he married his high school sweetheart, Paula Brown McKnight (who survives). Together, they enjoyed 39 years of blessed marriage. They had four children: Brandon, Ashley, Dustin, and Evan.
Mark graduated from Adams Street Christian School and then joined the United States Army where he was stationed in Ft. Lewis, WA and later in West Germany. He worked as an Industrial Electrician with Caravan Facilities Management. He was the pastor of Jonesboro Friends Church. He also served as the treasurer at Adams Street Christian Church and as a Chaplain for the Grant County Sheriffs Dept.
Mark was a man of many parts. He never saw himself as a great orator (although he preached many years at the Jonesboro Friends Church), or a scholar (though he was a deep thinking, and very knowledgeable Industrial Electrician, Sunday School teacher, and Bible study leader), he believed himself to be very blessed in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and spent most of his time sharing that knowledge with others. He was a hard worker and always had a project that needed his attention. Although, he often put his own projects on hold to help a friend or family member. He loved being a grandpa as much as he loved being a dad and took great pride in his eight grandchildren. His life was very full with his responsibilities of being a husband, father, grandfather, employee, pastor and chaplain. Yet he still managed to find time to be an interested uncle, a loyal brother, an available son-in-law, a beloved coach, and a wonderful friend.
Along with his wife, survivors include his children, Anthony Brandon McKnight of Indianapolis, Ashley (Dan) Frank of Wabash, Dustin Paul McKnight of Gas City, Evan (Fiancée, Samantha Crain) McKnight of LaFontaine; grandchildren: Alivia, Emerson, Towbin, J. C., Isabelle, Noelle, Noah, Jude; brothers: Charles (Polly) McKnight of Alexandria, Tim (Rose) McKnight of Bluffton, David (Linda) McKnight of Carmel, Paul (Roberta) McKnight of Wabash, Tom (Sharon) McKnight of Alexandria; sisters, Naomi (Jeff) Barger of Loveland, OH, Becky (Richie) Graves of Upland; and father-in-law, Paul Brown of Jonesboro.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Wilma McKnight, and mother-in-law, Earlene Brown.
The family will receive visitors from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Jonesboro Friends Church, 513 S. Water St., Jonesboro, IN.
A Funeral Service to celebrate Mark’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at the Jonesboro Friends Church. Mark’s brother, Tom McKnight will be officiating with burial following at Park Cemetery in Fairmount.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Grant County Sheriff’s Dept. Chaplaincy Program 214 E. 4th St., Marion, IN 46952 or Williams Syndrome Foundation 570 Kirts Blvd., Suite 223, Troy, MI 48084.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
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