Linda Kniss Obituary

Linda Kniss

Linda Kniss, 82, passed away Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Riverview Health & Rehabilitation Center in Columbus.

She was born Jan. 11, 1942, to Alfred and Pauline (Sumney) Bennett of Columbia City, Indiana. Linda was a member of Columbia City Joint High School Class of 1960. After high school, she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in business education from Ball State University. She married Jerl L. Kniss of Columbia City and they later divorced.

Linda began her teaching career at Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and after moving with her family to Ohio, taught at Arlington High School before becoming Assistant Professor of Business at The University of Findlay in 1979. She retired from UF in 2004, but kept busy as church secretary for Howard United Methodist Church until 2021.

Growing up on the Bennett Pine Lawn Pony Farm in Columbia City fostered Linda's passion for horses. In her adult life, Linda traveled and wrote for Saddle Horse Report and The Morgan Connection, two equine publications that allowed her to continue to enjoy horses and horse shows, especially those where her grandchildren competed.

Linda is survived by her children, Christopher (Jane) Kniss of Findlay and Kimber (David) Whanger of Dublin, Ohio; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Kent) Wilin of Lewis Center, Kaitlyn Kniss of Findlay, and Aubree Whanger of Dublin, Ohio; great-granddaughter, Eila Wilin; sister, Marla (Bob) Miller of Elkhart, Indiana; and niece, Amanda Miller of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Linda's graveside service for family and friends will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at South Park Cemetery in Columbia City, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Howard United Methodist Church, 220 Cherry St., Findlay, Ohio, 45840, American Diabetes Association, or the donor's charity of choice.

DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City, is handling arrangements.