Joseph A. Knecht, 93 years old of Monroeville, Indiana, died peacefully on Friday, March 21, 2014 at his residence. He was born on Tuesday, November 23, 1920 in Hartford City, Indiana the son of the late William E. Knecht and the late Leona J. (Andre) Knecht. He married Lula Mae Cain on August 1, 1953 and she passed away on December 4, 1958. On June 18, 1960, he married Monica R. (Lomont) Giant and she survives. Joseph served in the United States Army Air Corp from 1942 to 1945 during WWII. He was a member of St. Louis Besancon Catholic Church, the V.F.W. in Monroeville, and a former member of the Indiana Electric League and the Sertoma Club in Fort Wayne. He retired as Vice President of A. Hattersley & Son of Fort Wayne, Indiana after 31 years of service. Surviving are his wife, Monica R. Giant Knecht of Monroeville, IN; daughter, Amy J. (nee Giant) (Merle) Hunsaker of Norman, OK; son, Edward J. Giant of Hawaii; daughter, Mary M. (nee Giant) (Ted) Cannell of Norman, AR; son, Joseph A. (Jill) Knecht, II of Canfield, OH; son, Thomas E. Knecht of Fort Wayne, IN; daughter, Kristine S. (Mick) Meiners of Indianapolis, IN; son, John W. (Jill) Knecht of Noblesville, IN; daughter, Rita K. (Andy) Bowers of Indianapolis, IN; & daughter, Kathryn R. (Tom Tyner) Knecht of Williams, IN. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, & one great great-grandchild. Preceding Joseph in death were infant daughter, Kitty Ann Knecht & daughter, Ann T. (nee Giant) Kleban; three brothers, Russell V., Robert F., & William S. Knecht; and three sisters, Marie E. Ravaux, Wilma A. Lord, & Bertha B. Monfort.. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2014 in the St. Louis Besancon Catholic Church, with calling celebrating his life one hour prior. Interment will follow in the St. Louis Besancon Catholic Cemetery with Military Graveside to be conducted by the American Legion Post #420 of Monroeville. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to St. Louis Church Building Fund, St. Louis Academy Tuition Fund, or the donor's choice.
