Richard C. Knodle

Richard C. Knodle, 83, of Washington, died on November 20, 2009, after a brief illness. Born November 22, 1925, in Washington to Fred R. Knodle and Casimir Dwyer Knodle. Attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and High School; Graduated June 1944 and was a lifetime member of Immaculate Conception Parish and a member of the Holy Name Society. A United States Army veteran, he served in the 5th Infantry Division, 20th Infantry Regiment of Patton’s 3rd Army in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He was wounded twice and was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Upon being honorably discharged, he returned to Washington and was briefly employed by the Hiedelmier Water Drilling Co. He was then employed by the Columbia Gas Company, retiring in 1983 after 35 years of service. He was also employed for eleven years at The Meadows Racetrack. On October 27, 1951 he married Irene Julia Lenco also of Washington and celebrated 50 years of marriage with their family in 2001. Mr. Knodle was an avid outdoorsman and nature lover enjoying fly fishing, hunting, small and large game hunting, trapping, and running his fox hounds. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, a former member of the Frazier-Simplex Rifle Club and a member of the American Legion Post 175. He is survived by his wife of 58 years and four children; Trish (Patricia) A. Vlastnik (Arthur) of Georgia, Thomas M. Knodle of the State of California, Joseph D. Knodle (Lisa) of Canonsburg, and Jane M. Crewe (Douglas) of the State of California; three grandchildren, Joseph R. Knodle, Scott S. Vlastnik and Karina Rose Dwyer Vlastnik; siblings Dr. Fred R. Knodle (Betty Lou) of Ohio, Marian R. Brebrick (Robert) of Wisconsin, Patricia A. Weber (Burt) of Nevada, and William A. Knodle (Polly) of Florida; and sister-in-law Sylvia Knodle of Ohio. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Casimir Ann Knodle, and a brother Robert D. Knodle. Visitation will be on Monday, November 23rd, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 395 East Maiden St., Washington. The rite of Christian burial and funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 24th, at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 119 W. Chestnut St., Washington, with Father Don Chortos as celebrant. Interment will immediately follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Locust Ave., Washington. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Washington Hospital, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.