Gary M. Knechtel

Gary M. Knechtel, 52, of Jeannette, passed away Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, at his residence. He was born Jan. 10, 1958, in Greensburg, a son of the late Karl and Mary Halucka Knechtel. Gary was the general manager of Industrial Appraisal Co. of Pittsburgh. He was a 1976 graduate of Hempfield High School and received his bachelor's degree from Dickinson College. He was a member of the St. Bernard Club of Pittsburgh and an avid Penn State fan. Gary also was a coach for the former Sacred Heart Cardinal Football Team in Jeannette. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a niece, Beth Ann Knechtel. He is survived by his wife, Janice Weigand Knechtel; two children, Holly Clark, of Annapolis, Md., and John Clark, of Philadelphia; a sister, Mary Katherine Steiner and husband, Robert, of Greensburg; three brothers, Robert Knechtel and wife, Kathleen, of State College, Richard Knechtel and wife, Judy, of Charlotte, N.C., and James Knechtel and wife, Beth, of Greensburg; numerous nieces and nephews; and a great-nephew. Friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in Ascension Church with Father James Bump as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery, Hempfield Township. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The Second Mile, Central Office, 1402 Atherton St., State College, PA 16801.