Donald Edgar Knoll

Donald ‘Ed’ Knoll, age 76 of Chicora, PA. died unexpectedly this morning  at his home, August 25, 2016, of natural causes. Born March 5th, 1940 in Chicora. He was the son of the late Frank A. Knoll and Mary A. Black Knoll.  He was a member of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church of Chicora and the Altar Rosary Society of the church. He is a 1959 graduate of Karns City High School. He retired after 37 ½ years from Witco Chemical Incorporated in Petrolia, PA. He was also a graduate of the Toledo School of Meat cutters by trade and employed by a chain of grocery stores. He was a Karns City school board director for 12 years from 1974 to 1986.  He was also a member of Butler County Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors, ‘Advisory’, from 2004 to the present time. He was an honorary Life member of the Knights of Columus Council #866, of Butler. PA. Don was a veteran of the U.S. ARMY and served honorably from 1961 to 1963. He was a member of the 12th infantry during the Berlin Crisis at Check Point Charlie at the Berlin Wall. He was an honored life member of VFW Post 7876 of Chicora and a member of the American Legion Post 0243 of West Sunbury. He was actively involved with the VFW and the American Legion Honor Guard and with the Military Honors Bereavement Group. He was a member of the Chicora Firemen’s association. He was an elected committee person for the Democratic Men’s Club, Butler, PA. He loved talking about the happenings of the political world. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman.  He was a faithful Pittsburgh Steelers and college football fan. He enjoyed listening to country western and blue grass music. He was a member of the Alamo Squares in Frogtown. He loved round and square dancing. He liked to go on vacation, traveling on the Amtrak. Don also enjoyed working on his rental homes and doing real estate. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sports activities.

Don will be fondly remembered for his love, passion for life, perseverance, humility and sense of humor. He is a people person who enjoyed a good story and a good laugh.  He always was willing to help others and was a dedicated and caring volunteer for the Society of Saint Vincent DePaul, working diligently for the organization. Don’s love of God and family was expressed in  his many and varied contributions to his church, family and community over his lifetime.

He is survived by his wife Anna Marie Boguslawski Knoll whom he married June 11, 1966. They have two daughters: Diane and Bill Turner II of Mount Juliet, Tennessee.  Carolyn and Gregory Bowers of Seven Fields, PA. Four grandchildren: Bradley Bowers, Jarrod Bowers of Seven Fields. Morgan Turner and William Blain Turner III of Mount Juliet, Tennessee.  Sisters: Mary Geibel of Chicora; Monica and Paul Glynn of Columbus, Ohio. Rita Barnhart of N.Y. Bernadette Huefner of Franklin, PA. and his twin sister Donna (Betty) Neff of Butler. Brothers: Reverend Lester Knoll O.F.M. Capuchin of Wickliffe, Ohio. John and Patricia Knoll of Butler. Thomas and Toni Knoll of Chicora and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by: an infant brother Francis Knoll, Reverend Charles A. Knoll O.F.M. Capuchin and a sister Agnes Pfaff.

Friends of Donald Knoll who died Thursday, August  25, 2016 will be received at

STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME, 111 E. Slippery Rock and Main Streets, Downtown Chicora, PA

Saturday, August 27 at 7-9 p.m. and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

A celebration of life mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday, August 29 at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, 409 N. Main Street, Chicora, PA with his brother, Father Lester Knoll O.F.M. Cap. and Father Rick Thompson officiating. Interment will be in Saint Joseph Cemetery, in the village of North Oakland, Chicora, PA.

.Full Military Honors will be accorded by Dexter Leroy Donaldson V.F.W. post 7876 Chicora, the Chicora and Brady’s Bend American Legion, the American Legion Post 0243, West Sunbury, and the 99th Readiness Command of Coraopolis, PA.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations be made to the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Bank at 146 N. Monroe Street, Butler, PA 16001

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