June L. Knecht

RICHMOND, Ind. – June L. Knecht, age 86, died at her home Sunday, December 25, 2016, with family by her side. Born October 16, 1930, in Osage, Iowa, to Ralph and Bessie Tibbits Sheldon, June moved to Richmond in 1966. She graduated in 1949 from Plainfield High School in Plainfield, Iowa, and attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. June received her Special Education certification in New Jersey. She taught special education in New Jersey and Gratis School in Ohio. June also taught at Wernle Children’s Home in Richmond, where she retired as principal in 1996. She was known to her family as “Velvet Steel” because she was gentle, but very strong and lived her life by strong, ethical standards. June loved RVing in her retirement, working in her yard, and spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. Survivors include her daughters, Julia Knecht of Louisville, Kentucky, and Jackie (Bill) Stuckey of Richmond; sons, Rick (SuAnn Donovan) Knecht of Des Moines, Iowa, and Timothy Knecht of Richmond; nine grandchildren, Staci (Eric) Mickelson, Andy Coles, Scott, Ben, and Paul Knecht, and Rachel, Kurtis, Daniel, and Amanda Stuckey; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Gartha (Walt) Ebert of Plainfield, Iowa, Doris Bigelow of Austin Minnesota, Lois Seely of Waverly, Iowa, and Merriem (Jerry) Lane of Cedar Falls, Iowa; nieces; nephews; and many friends, including longtime, dear friends, Ruth Brown of Richmond and Ted Schwartz of Cincinnati, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Paul E. “PK” Knecht, who died August 30, 2013; son, Gary Knecht, who died in 2011; daughter-in-law, Lea Ann Knecht; parents; and sister, Bertha Hennessey. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Reid Hospice and special caretaker, Carol Brown for their excellent care. Visitation for June L. Knecht will be from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2016, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 121 South 18th Street, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2016, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Robert Meckley officiating. Burial will be in Lutherania Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 121 South 18th Street, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

June L. Knecht

October 16, 1930 - December 25, 2016