Robert J. Knapp Sr.

Robert J. Knapp Sr., 63, of Meadville, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009, at Meadville Medical Center following an extended illness.He was born in Franklin May 12, 1946, a son of Robert and Anna Mae McFarland Knapp. He married Marlene Thornton Feb. 15, 1969.He was a 1964 graduate of Townville High School, attended Edinboro University and was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, serving from 1965 to 1968. He worked as a logger and had been employed by Ohio Hardwood, Mailliard Lumber Company, James Whitman Logging Company, Hollabaugh Logging Company, Mowris Tree Service and was self-employed. He additionally worked at McNamara Farms.He was of the Protestant faith.He was a member of Charles Stafford American Legion Post 111, Meadville, Vernon Volunteer Fire Department and Saegertown American Legion Post 205. He enjoyed hunting and reading.Survivors, in addition to his wife, Marlene, of 40 years, include six children, Jeffrey Thornton and his companion, Stephanie Wills, of Meadville, Robert (Jamie) Knapp Jr. and his wife, Christine, of Galena, Ohio, Jodie Lynne Knapp and her companion, Jerry Wilson, of Starke, Fla., Joseph Paul Knapp and his companion, Carla Chase, of Meadville, Jenny Lee Kightlinger and her husband, Edward, of Meadville, and Marty Jo (Liz) Knapp and her companion, Chris Sprenkle, of Guys Mills; his mother, Anna Mae Knapp of Meadville; seven grandchildren, Atatlanta Jade (A.J.) Vardarmoskas, Martin Thornton, Mitchell, Cassidy and Joshua Knapp, Tyler Beish and Hannah Kightlinger; a brother, Charles Knapp and his wife, Penny, of Naples, Fla.; four sisters, Karen Carter and her husband, Steve, of Eldorado, Okla., Sheri Kightlinger and her husband, Mark, of Meadville, Judy Granda and her husband, Don, of Meadville, and Donna Granda of Tavares, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dianna Lynn Knapp.Calling hours will be Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, with an American Legion service at 6:45 p.m.The funeral and committal service will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Philip Torre, pastor of First Assembly of God Church, officiating and military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, Meadville.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville, Pa. 16335.