Charles Frederick Knoedler, age 77, long time resident of Venango, PA died Thursday, June 25, 2009 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at Wesbury United Methodist Community, Meadville, PA. He was born in Ambridge, PA on August 19, 1931 a son of the late Frederick Knoedler and Lillian Zeigler Knoedler. A graduate of Penn State University in 1953, Charles began military service in August of the same year serving with the US Army at Fort Myer, VA. As an Army Corporal, Charles took part in ceremonies welcoming foreign dignitaries as a member of the “Old Guard” Infantry Regiment whose duties include defending the nation’s capital and escorting the President of the United States at official functions. An ammunition bearer with the Regiment’s Company B, he completed basic training at For Dix, NJ.
Charles “Chuck” began a teaching career at Cambridge Springs High School as an agriculture instructor with the FFA and also taught science courses. In addition, he taught driver’s education and adult shop classes in the evening together with Julius Russell. He returned to Penn State University and also to Edinboro University and acquired a degree to become a school counselor. His teaching career spanned over 35 years. He especially enjoyed working with elementary school children at Cambridge Elementary School and at Cussewago Grade School. He particularly enjoyed the home cooked lunches that were served at Cussewago.
Chuck was active in the Venango community serving on Borough Council for 35 years as either President, Council Member, or Treasurer. He was a 50 year member of Covenant Masonic Lodge # 473 of Cambridge Springs, a member of Saegertown United Methodist Church, and a member of Crawford County PASR (Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees).
In years past, Chuck was an avid hunter who enjoyed the out-of-doors and helped to keep the area around his home and the neighboring grounds of the Venango Volunteer Fire Department mowed and trimmed.
In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by a granddaughter- Marli Knoedler who was the daughter of Dennis and Bonnie Knoedler. Also preceding in death were his aunts -Shan & Katie Knoedler; Gertrude and Margaret Ziegler; Pauline and her husband, Charles Martin all of whom lived in Ambridge; and a cousin – Nancy Martin who lived in Greencastle, PA.
He is survived by his wife and best friend – E. Joanne Boylan Knoedler whom he married August 10, 1957; two sons – Douglas Knoedler and his wife, Beth and their children – Matt and Katie Knoedler all of Saegertown; Dennis Knoedler and his wife, Bonnie and their son – Drew of Alexandria, VA; one brother – Thomas Knoedler and his wife, Pam of Wallingford, PA; one cousin – Dick Martin of South Park, PA; several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Chuck’s small Knoedler family grew into a much larger one when he married into the Boylan family.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9. Masonic services will be held there Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Kenneth Custer, pastor of the Saegertown United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery accompanied by full military honors.
Memorials may be given to the Cambridge Springs United Methodist Church, 326 South Main St., Cambridge Springs, PA 16403; the Venango United Methodist Church, 21472 Church St., Venango, PA 16440; or the Saegertown United Methodist Church, 620 Euclid, Saegertown, PA 16433.
Joanne,
Know that you and your family are in our prayers and thoughts. I remember “Chuck” as thoughtful and caring.
Don Filegar
Denver CO
Mrs Knoedler & Family,
Please accept my sincere sympathy in the passing of Mr Knoedler. I was fortunate to have him as a science teacher and still remember the “amazing” experiment when you light a small piece of paper and put it into a milk bottle (when they were still glass) and put a hard boiled egg on the top of the bottle and as the paper burns the egg is “sucked” into the bottle….I was dazzled by that experiment and still remember it some 40 plus years later ! I thought he was a wonderful man. Blessings to you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Dear Joanne, Gail and I will be thinking of your family and you as you go through this time of loss and of celebration of your husband’s very well-lived life.
We have appreciated the loving care that Chuck and you have afforded the house we loved in Venango, the home of our childhood.
In sympathy and at this time of remembrance, we remain your friends, Gail Ellison and Wendy Ellison Rosenkilde
Joanne & Family, Please know that our Sympathy & Prayers are with you at this time in the Loss of your Loved one.
Joanne and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Chuck was such a caring man and will be remembered fondly by all whose lives he touched.
Sincerely,
Art and Iliene Wolfe and family
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Joanne and family…I am so sorry to hear of Mr Knoedler’s passing. My heaart is heavy this morning as my grandmother called to give me the news and as i had to tell my dad. I am living in Va and will be unable to attend the services, but please know that I’m there in spirit with you and the family mourning the loss of such a wonderful and caring man that I am so lucky was a part of my life (even if it was a small part). You will never know how much you and your husband have meant to me over the years. Take care and be strong and I will come visit next time I am up that way seeing my family. Much love to you all.
Joanne, we want to extend our condolences to you, Doug and Denny, as well as the rest of the family. Chuck was a great friend and will be sincerely missed. Our love to all.