James R. "Jim" Knecht

James R. "Jim" Knecht, age 79, of New Philadelphia, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2016, in the New Dawn Retirement Community at Dover.

Born August 11, 1937, at Zoar, he was a son of the late Russell and Ida Gardner Knecht. Jim attended school at Bolivar, and went to work for the Spring Brothers Co. at New Philadelphia. He was later employed by the U.S. Ceramic Tile Co. at East Sparta, from which he retired following forty-five years of service.

Jim was a member of the Eagles Lodge and Sam's Club at New Philadelphia, and was a social member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, also at New Philadelphia. His grandchildren were a very important part of his life and he loved them dearly.

Survivors include his wife, the former Mary Ann Rossetti, whom he married on November 7, 1964; his sons, James "Jim" (Victoria Fishpaw) Knecht Jr. of Port Orange, Florida, and Rod (Becky) Knecht of Tuscarawas; his grandchildren, Kelina and Casey Knecht, both of Port Orange, and Alex (Beth) Knecht of Gnadenhutten, and Leah Knecht of Brooklyn, New York; his sisters, Joann (David) Schaar of Dover, and Bonnie (Keith) Anderson of Sugar Creek; his brothers, Bill (Ruth) Knecht of Columbia, and John "Hubba" Knecht of Dennison; his mother-in-law, Mary Rossetti of Dover; and his nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sisters, Betty Pope, and Frances Kay Knecht (in infancy).

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, on Monday, October 31, 3 4:30 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 4:30, officiated by Elder Tim Levengood and Priest Richard Edie. Immediately after the service, there will be a dinner in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center at Dover. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Jim, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the funeral home's website.

The family is grateful for the excellent care provided to Jim, and them, by Community Hospice, and suggests that contributions in Jim's memory be made to the organization at 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.