Clarajean Knepp

Clarajean Knepp, 83, of Springfield Township, died unexpectedly from a complication while being treated for a short illness. She lived a vibrant life and enjoyed good health until the last weeks of her life. She passed from the arms of her family into God’s and has reunited with the love of her life, “Big Jim.” 

Clarajean was a life-long member of the Springfield Church of the Brethren, where she volunteered tirelessly and served in virtually every lay leadership position. Over the years, she was a perennial presence in the kitchen, teaching Sunday School classes, leading the youth group and volunteering for community outreach missions.

Nothing gave her more joy than raising her sons and playing with her grandchildren and, more recently, great-grandsons and her nieces and nephews and their children. Following her retirement from a career teaching special needs elementary students, she kept busy gardening, canning, cooking, playing cards, reading, and traveling. She also loved volunteering for the Friends of the Library. Her smile lit up the entire room, and her laughter could usually be heard even in the next.

She grew up on a farm, the eldest born to the late Rollin D. and Thelma Marie Kinsey. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, James R. Knepp. Missing their dear mother but grateful for the gift that she was to them are her two sons, Jim (Linda) and Doug (Kris), and the daughter she never had, her niece Tammy (Christopher) Paveloi and her neighbor-niece Julie (Mike) Frient. Also missing visits to Granny’s house will be her grandchildren, Kara (Chris) Blaze, Sarah (Cameron Ervin), Logan, Greyson, Joshua, and Mitchell Knepp and great-grandsons, Flynn and Lochlan Blaze and her special nieces and nephews and great-nephew and great-nieces who visited frequently. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Lambiotte and brother, Rollin (Delores) Kinsey. Her footprints are carried on the souls of countless friends, neighbors, former students, and extended family members.

Friends and family may call Thursday, November 7 from 3-7 at Hecker-Patron Funeral Home located at 13151 Cleveland Ave. NW, Uniontown, Ohio. The funeral service will be at 11 on Friday, November 8 at Springfield Church of the Brethren, 3500 Albrecht Ave., Akron, with additional visitation at the church from 10-11. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Springfield Church of the Brethren.

During this tender time for the family, prayers, fond memories, and expressions of sympathy made be shared at: www.heckerpatronfuneralhome.com.