Ned R. Knape, 84 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 12:33 p.m. on Monday, December 22, 2014 in the Morning View Nursing Home located in South Bend, Indiana. Ned was born on Monday, April 7, 1930 in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, the son of the late Franklin A. Knape and the late Nellie M. (Miller) Knape. He married M. Jeanne Wright on June 20, 1953 and she passed away on June 16, 1995. He married Orpha Thomas on November 6, 2004 and she survives. Ned graduated from Valparaiso University in 1953 and lettered in basketball and baseball while there. He received his master's degree in education from Ball State University. In addition to athletics, he was also very interested in history and politics. He loved to travel, especially with his motor home. Ned was an administrator, educator, and coach for 38 years. Most of this service was in East Allen County Schools, but he also taught and coached several years in Ohio. Surviving are his wife, Orpha Knape of Napoleon, OH; son, Dr. Kerry R. (Rose) Knape of Walkerton, IN; daughter, Susan K. Harris of Bluffton, IN; step-daughter, Mary Cobb of Napoleon, OH; step-son, David Thomas of Napoleon, OH; step-daughter, Kathy Wright of Kentucky; brother, Wayne F. (Emma) Knape of Ridgeville Corners, OH; sister, Eunice J. (Charles) Green of Hickory Corners, MI; 5 grandchildren: Kevin Knape, Sara Singleton, Mark & Thomas Knape, & Patrick Rogers. Private Family Services will be held Friday, December 26, 2014. Interment will follow in the Decatur Cemetery, Decatur, Indiana. Preferred memorials are to Bellmont Athletic Dept.; or Heritage Athletic Dept.; or Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
