MEADVILLE - Theodore Merle Knapp, 88, of Meadville, formerly of Lyona, passed away, Wednesday, December 9, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 21, 1927, in Sutton, PA to the late Frank and Birdie Aola Knapp. He married Marion Stafford on December 15, 1947.

Merle was a life long farmer, he worked for Meadville Co-op for 17 years, Agway Petroleum for eight years, and was a contract owner/operator for six years for Agway. He was a United States Army veteran. Merle also was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a life-long member of the First Assembly of God in Meadville.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 68 years, Marion Stafford Knapp; two daughters, Aola B. DeFrancesco and her husband, Luigi, of Richmond Township; and Patricia L. Baxter and her husband, Kevin of Linesville; one son, Daniel F. Knapp and his wife, Vickie of Conneaut Lake; one brother, Richard Wayne Knapp, and his wife, Joetta, Meadville; 11 grandchildren, Bruno M. DeFrancesco (Naomi), Joyce Ann DeFrancesco; Gina Marie DeFrancesco - Hayden (Rick), Angela A. DeFrancesco - Peifer (Sean), Lisa Benninger (Andy), Amy Knapp (Seth), Daniel Merle Knapp (Sunshine), Tina Yochum (Ken), and Michaela Baxter, Christopher Baxter and Brendan Theodore Baxter; also 13 great-grandchildren.

Merle was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Delp and Ruth Stafford; brothers, Albert, Frank and Bob Knapp; and two sons, Theodore Michael Knapp and Arthur Merle Knapp.

Friends and family are welcome to call, at the Ryan M. Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 33353 Main Street, Townville, PA 16360, on Sunday, December 13, 2015, from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at 3:00 P.M., with Pastor Philip Torre officiating.

Burial will take place at Lyons Valley (Lyona) Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lyons Valley (Lyona) Cemetery, c/o the Secretary Treasurer, Aola DeFrancesco, 27502 St. Hwy, 77, Guys Mills, PA 16327; or to the First Assembly of God, 719 Washington St, Meadville, PA 16335.

Please take a moment to share a condolence or memory with the family on Merle's Book of Memories at www.warrenfh.com.

Merle was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He always put his family first. He will be greatly missed.

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