Marjorie Ellen (Hill) Knecht, 96, passed away peacefully Jan. 4, 2018, at the Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 74 years, John Knecht, who passed away Aug. 9, 2017.

Knecht was born in Bourbon, the daughter of Rev. Silas and Gertrude Hill. Her father was assigned to different Evangelical United Brethren (E.U.B.) churches in northern Indiana. A self-proclaimed “preacher’s kid,” Knecht spent her youth in Bourbon, Churubusco, Nine Mile, Albion, Roanoke and ultimately completing high school in Tyner. She graduated from Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis) in the Class of 1942. After graduation, she taught for a year at Bippus High School, before marrying the love of her life, John Knecht, in May 1943.  he moved to Dayton, Ohio and taught English and Latin at Northridge High School while John studied for the pastorate at Bonebrake (now United Theological) Seminary. She went on to attend Yale University in 1945 to receive training in Chinese language and culture in preparation for mission work in Canton, China where she and John lived between 1946 and 1947.

Upon returning to the United States, the Knecht’s fulfilled pastoral assignments in Clay City and Terre Haute, before moving to Dayton, Ohio in 1956. Knecht’s focus and devotion was on raising her four children while fulfilling the role of a pastor’s wife.  Marjorie loved music, learning to play piano at age seven. She frequently played piano for church events, and the organ for high school commencement ceremonies. Knecht was very active in her children’s school activities, frequently serving as PTA President. She also was recruited to serve in leadership positions for local and national women’s organizations associated with the E.U.B./United Methodist church. She loved reading and bird watching, and summers were often spent at Oakwood Park on Lake Wawasee, where she pursued these passions.

In 1969, Knecht returned to the classroom and taught for eleven years at Dunbar High School where she was honored as Teacher of the Year one year. Her subjects included World Literature, English, Etymology and Latin. She always said, “I learned as much as I taught”, and she was loved and respected by her students and colleagues.

In retirement, they first lived in Kettering, Ohio before relocating to Sebring, Florida. They traveled extensively, including six trips to China as group leaders for Seminars International, multiple trips to England and Scotland (which Marjorie adored), Europe and a trip around the world. The Knecht’s ultimately moved from Florida to Peabody Retirement Community in 1999.

Of her many accomplishments in life, Knecht will be best remembered for her genuine kindness. She was always encouraging and positive. She was a touchstone for and a source of inspiration for her family, of whom she was very proud.

She 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.

Knecht touched so many in a positive way, and was truly loved and respected by all whose lives were fortunate enough to have intersected with hers. Her gentle spirit will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., March 3, in the Chapel on the grounds of Peabody Retirement Community, 400 West Seventh Street, North Manchester, IN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the National Audubon Society www.audubon.org or the John and Marjorie Knecht International Scholarship Fund at United Theological Seminary, 4501 Denlinger Road, Dayton, OH 45426.

Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, North Manchester