Rita Marie Knapp

Rita Marie Knapp, 80, of Lakeside, Ohio and formerly of Steubenville and Canton, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 17, 2014 at Riverview Healthcare Campus in Oak Harbor, Ohio. She was born on February 6, 1934 in Steubenville, Ohio, the daughter of the late Raymond and Mary (Boggs) Bernert. Rita graduated from Steubenville College in 1956 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. On July 6, 1957 she married Dr. John P. Knapp, D.D.S., and he survives. They moved to Washington D.C. where she taught in Montgomery County Schools for one year. After John's graduation from dental school, they moved to Canton, where their family was raised. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Port Clinton. She enjoyed boating, fishing, bicycling, and being John's #1 co-pilot. Together, they enjoyed traveling, especially flying in John's plane to destinations such as the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Survivors include John, her husband of 57 years; children William John (Mary) Knapp of Evansville, Indiana; Cynthia Jean (James) Mayer-Passarelli of Medina, Ohio; Thomas Joseph ( Ann ) Knapp of Sheffield, Ohio; James Gregory (Jill) Knapp of Suart, Florida; six grandchildren; twin brother Raymond Bernert of Placerville, California; brother Frank (Helen) Bernert of Steubenville, Ohio; sisters Jean Rankinof Steubenville, Ohio, Annette Etinger of Chicago, Illinois, Karlene Wetzel of Weirton, West Virginia and Sister Helena, Columbus, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jim, Walt, and Michael Bernert and her sister Carole Kalinyak. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014 from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, 1124 Fulton Street, Port Clinton, Ohio. On Friday, November 21, 2014, prayers will begin at 10am at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 414 Madison Street, Port Clinton, with Father John C. Missler officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Foundation at alzfdn.org or to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com