Dec 6, 1922 - Jan 16, 2010

Eldon Howard Knecht, 87, of North Manchester, IN, and having ties to Huntington County, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at 6:40 p.m. at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester.

Mr. Knecht was a 1940 Chester High School graduate. He farmed, founded Star Excavating and drove for Gulf Oil until his retirement. He was a member of St. John's Evangelical & Reformed Church in Bippus, and sang lead with the Chain of Lakes Barber Shop Chorus.

He was born Dec. 6, 1922, in Wabash County to Howard A. and Lulu Sell Knecht. He married Avonne Lee Reed in Bippus on Nov. 21, 1942. His wife survives.

Survivors include three sons, Scott A. (Kathy) Knecht, of Bippus, and Lon E. (Debra) Knecht and Jon R. (Linda) Knecht, both of Huntington; a daughter, Vicki L. Knecht, of Brighton, CO; 14 grandchildren, Kelly (Bill) Inderlied, Kari (Chad) Cripe, Christy (Shane) Thomson and Brandon Knecht, all of Huntington County; Alicia Knecht, of Winter Park, FL; Jenny (Jason) Elliott, of Willington, CT; Laura (Ben) Stearns, of Provo, UT;  Adam (Danielle) Knecht, of Las Vegas, NV; Peter (Amber) Knecht, of Highland, UT; Matthew (Erica) Knecht. of Albany, OR; Jon Aaron (Christine) Knecht, of Missoula, MT; David (Hannah) Knecht, of Rexburg, ID; Ben Knecht, of Marshall Islands; and Scott Spencer, of Goshen; and a sister-in-law, Lois Knecht, of North Manchester.

Calling is Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, 207 W. Main Street, North Manchester. A funeral service will be held at the Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East St., North Manchester on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at 1 p.m., with calling from noon to 1 p.m. preceding the service. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Servia. There will be a celebration of Mr. Knecht's life Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at 3 p.m. at the Timbercrest Assembly Room.

The memorial guest book may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.