James Knapp

James Nelson Knapp, 93, a former Etna resident passed away at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Lincolnshire Place, Fort Wayne. He was born on August 27, 1925 in Noble County, the son of the late Cecil E. and Vicie Gladys (Howell) Knapp.
Jim spent his childhood in Noble County and graduated from Wolf Lake High School with the Class of 1945. He left high school and joined the United States Army during WWII, where he earned the rank of Private First Class while serving from 1944 through 1946. He was an infantryman with the 2nd Armored Division, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Cologne Plain, Ruhr Area and Elbe River.

He was married on June 19, 1948 in Noble County to Iva Jean Martin. He owned and operated his family farm in Whitley County and was a foreman at Weatherhead in Columbia City for over 30 years. He was also the former owner of Wayside Furniture, Angola from 1971 until his retirement in 1984.

He was a member of the Etna United Methodist Church and the Free Masons of Columbia City and Angola. He and his wife Jean loved to square dance. They also enjoyed wintering at Swan Lake Park in North Fort Myers, FL, where he was often seen riding his bike up to 10 miles per day. While wintering in Florida he would spend his summers on Lake James. He and Jean were avid travelers and they were fortunate to have been able to travel the world during their retirement years.

Survivors include his loving wife of 70 years, Iva Jean (Martin) Knapp of Fort Wayne; 3 children, Larry D. Knapp, of Angola, Kathy S. (Jim) Yotter, of Fort Wayne and Carol J. Bassett of Angola; 4 grandchildren, Chad (Holly) Yotter, Gates Mills, OH, Matt (Keisha) Yotter, Nashville, TN, Brooke (Nate) Phenicie, of Glenview, IL and Brittany (Tyler) Hartman, Angola; 3 great grandchildren, Owen and Emery Phenicie and Addison Hartman; he is also survived by 1 brother, Calvin Knapp, Fort Myers, FL. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Donald and Charles Knapp, 1 sister, Viola Weicht and 1 grandson, Brice Bassett.

Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, November 25, 2018 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m. with Sharon Brockhaus, Certified Funeral Celebrant officiating. Burial will take place at Thorn Cemetery, rural Noble County. Military funeral rites will take place at the funeral home with the Korean War Veteran's Honor Guard presenting. Memorial bequests may be given in memory of Mr. Knapp to the Etna United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.