KNECHT, John Richard 96, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2017, at the Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester, Indiana. Rev. Knecht was the loving husband of Marjorie nee Hill of 74 years. Rev. Knecht was born and raised in Hartford City, Indiana and graduated in 1942 from Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis). He attended United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio and was ordained in 1945. He received an MA from Yale University in 1946 in preparation for mission work in China (1946-47) where he taught history and sociology at Lingnan University. Upon returning to the United States, John served as the pastor at EUB churches in Clay City, Indiana, and Terre Haute, Indiana. He then served ten years at The Board of Evangelism for the EUB Church participating in numerous Youth Mission trips. In 1965, he was named President of United Theological Seminary in Dayton and held that office until his retirement in 1985. John had a lifelong love of baseball and was a devoted fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He established and coached the first baseball team at Lingnan in China and later invented a baseball board game for his children. Golf was his recreational passion and he played more than 545 different courses around the world including all those on which the British Open has been held. In retirement, he and Marjorie traveled extensively including six trips to China as group leaders for Seminars International. He served on the board and was an avid supporter of Habitat for Humanity in Wabash County. Of all his many accomplishments in life, Rev. Knecht was most proud of his family. In addition to Marjorie, his beloved wife, John is survived by four children, Catherine, Mark (Joan), Luke (Jeanne) and Matthew (Barbara); eight grandchildren, Alex, Sam, Margaret, Andrew, William, Richard, Carey and Jay; and two great grandchildren, Alden and Muriel. John touched so many in a positive way, was truly loved and respected and he will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held on August 19th at 1 PM at the United Methodist Church in North Manchester. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the John and Marjorie Knecht International Scholarship Fund at United Theological Seminary, 4501 Denlinger Road, Dayton, OH 45426. The memorial guestbook for John can be signed on-line at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, 207 W. Main Street, North Manchester, Indiana.

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Published by Dayton Daily News on Aug. 13, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for John Knecht

Sponsored by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service - Bender Chapel - North Manchester.

16 Entries

Leah Nell Yeiter

August 5, 2024

He was a great uncle! I remember the time when my parents and I went to Michigan with him and his wife, my mother's sister. It was a beautiful day with white fluffy clouds in the sky, and Uncle John said to me, "It's a beautiful C Day! Now whenever the sky has white fluffy clouds I think of Uncle John!

A.B

August 7, 2018

My condolences to the family. May God fulfill his promise of binding up the brokenhearted. Isa 61:1,2

Macey

August 7, 2018

My heart goes out to you for your deep loss you must be feeling for your beloved John . How sad to lose someone so loved. May you find comfort in prayer and in one another. (Jeremiah 29:12,13)

Betty Fisher

August 20, 2017

Recently reading of the passing of John, I was reminded of when they lived in Dayton around the Grand Avenue area. My parents and I lived on Grand Avenue and I played with Cathy many times. We would play with dolls and "house" where we each would take turns to pick out a piece of furniture to complete our doll's house. My parents, Genevieve and Oliver (Bud) Cardwell enjoyed their visits with them as they were good people.

When I saw this in the paper, I told my husband, Larry, all that I could remember and it brought a smile to both of us.
We are unable to attend the services as we will be out of town, however, please pass on our condolences to the family. I remember them well.

As Ever,
Betty and Larry Fisher
Beavercreek, Ohio

Michael Mansfield

August 18, 2017

John was President of UTS for my four years there and I loved him and the way he served and taught us by his actions and words.

My prayers for his family and those of us who remember his loving presence.

August 18, 2017

Dr. Knecht was at United during my years as a student. I will always be grateful for his support and friendship. He was a fine man and a great mentor. Cindy Fuller

Marge and Carol Pohly

August 16, 2017

My mom, Marjorie Pohly, and I are so sorry to learn of John's death. My mom asked me to convey to you how much my parents always thought of both you, Marge, and John, and how grateful she is that John brought my dad, Ken Pohly, to the staff of U.T.S. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Richard Pettys

August 16, 2017

Dr Knecht WAS United Theological Seminary the years I was there. As others have said, he had the gift of knowing everyone by name. He cared. An often overlooked and brushed aside compliment is to say that he was kind. But that comes so quickly to mind when I think of Dr Knecht, he was a kind man! I am so proud to be able to look up and see his signature on my UTS diploma. My prayers for all of his family.

Ruth Fischer

August 16, 2017

So sorry to hear of Rev Knecht passing. I only knew him as a child at First EUB in Terre Haute Indiana. I always loved and looked up to him in all that he did. He was the first pastor I knew. Years later I became a pastor's wife.
He will be missed.
Ruth Jean Bruce Fischer

Wes Brookshire

August 15, 2017

Dr. Knecht warmly expressed hospitality to me whenever I would see him. The last time was a few years ago when I was visiting someone at Peabody and Dr. Knecht call me by name. I was very sure I looked a lot different than when he first met me at age 27 at UTS.

Paul Fulp

August 15, 2017

Oh my. John Knecht. One of my heroes as a boy. One of my heroes and inspirations as an adult. I loved that man! His gentle spirit, warm smile, kind words and handsome face were just something else again. I knew John from the time i was a young guy, as part of the EUB church. He was a treasured friend by my dad, Bennett Fulp. It was always fun in later years to run into John, Marjorie and the boys at Oakwood. It just made me day. There was just something special about him. Even hearing the name "John Knecht" would brighten my day. I will always treasure and be thankful that I was privileged to know him. God bless all of his family. Paul Fulp, Mooresville, Indiana

Hugh Rohrer

August 15, 2017

I remember walking on the United Theological Seminary campus and having Dr. Knecht walk up to me and call me by name. What an impression that made on me. That memory always reminds me that he cared for the students at United and knew them even before they arrived.

Dennis & Gail Alexander

August 15, 2017

We are very proud of John as we got to know him as students at United. He was an outstanding President who maintained relationships with students through his personal interest and care. We remember his smile, his sincere interest in our professional development and his faithfulness in caring for United Seminary. He was a deeply caring and compassionate man.

Gary Roberts

August 15, 2017

I have a picture of John and Judy Coy Roberts taken when we were students at UTS in the 60's that I treasure. Now they are both in the place Jesus has prepared for them. Admire John's wonderful gift of remembering people's names.

Perry Kea

August 14, 2017

I got to know John through my father-in-law, Charles Lane. They were brothers in ministry. John was a gem! When I was a young professor of biblical studies at the University of Indianapolis getting to know John was a great inspiration. His wonderfully fruitful life of ministry and service reminded me that a future John Knecht might be sitting in my class and that I had an important responsibility.
Pax Christi to all of his family.

Stan & Leah Nell Yeiter

August 12, 2017

So sorry we can't be at Uncle John's memorial service, but hopefully you will all understand our situation here.
Rest assured we'll remembering your family with prayers and thanksgiving for the assurance we have in our Lord and Savior, that where He is, we will be also.

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