Jerl Kniss Obituary

Jerl Lee Kniss

Jerl Lee Kniss, 81, of Findlay, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 7:33 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at Blanchard Valley Hospital. He was born April 17, 1941, in Wolf Lake, Indiana, to the late Charles W. and Methel E. (Bader) Kniss.

Jerl lived most of his early life in Columbia City, Indiana, and was a 1959 graduate of Columbia City Joint High School. He attended Ball State University, where he graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Childhood Education. He began his teaching career in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and after obtaining his Masters Degree, became the elementary principal at Washington Center Elementary School in Whitley County. He was director of Camp Whitley and co-manager of Columbia City Swimming Pool from 1964-1968. Following his teaching career, he had a variety of career opportunities, such as Readers Digest Sales Representative, Furrow Building Materials, Ace Hardware, Menards, and Safeway Doors in Warsaw, Indiana. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Findlay.

Jeri was previously married to Linda Bennett in 1962. He married Sandra Grohoske Kniss on June 10, 1995, and she survives in Findlay. Also surviving are two children, Christopher (Jane) Kniss of Findlay and Kimber (David) Whanger of Dublin, Ohio; two stepchildren, Jan (Angie) Grohoske of Lebanon, Tennessee, and Mark Grohoske of Knoxville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Ellie Grohoske, Elizabeth (Kent) Wilin, Kaitlyn Kniss, and Aubree Whanger; and sisters, Willie Ann Wasilewski of Columbia City and Earleen Alvarez of Sebring, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Scott Wasilewski and Abe Alvarez; and in-laws, Jean and Paul Traucht.

A private memorial service will take place for the family at First Baptist Church in Findlay with Pastor Mike Maskell officiating. Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay, is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church and online condolences are welcomed at www.coldrencrates.com.