Richard McKnight, 76, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Ottawa Pavilion.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Ottawa Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10:00 to 12:00 noon Saturday, April 5, 2014 prior to services at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.
Richard was born June 19, 1937 in Ottawa, Illinois to James McKnight and Mildred (Harte) Lyle. He married Janet Heather February 1, 1958 in Ottawa; she passed away April 22, 2003.
In April 1957 he joined Laborers Local #911 in Ottawa. He was a member of and worked through Labors’ International Union of North America Local #393. He received recognition for 50 years of continuous membership in 2007. After retiring he did small engine repair work on lawnmowers and snow blowers for friends and family. He never found a motor he couldn’t fix. The only pay he wanted was some good friendly conversation over an Old Style.
He is survived by two children, Debbie (Mike Zachary) McKnight, Randy (Wendee) Kavinsky; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Penney Yedinak and Phyllis (David) Olle; and one brother-in-law, Richard (Cheryl) Hertzner.
Richard is laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion.