Arthur Robert Knauf Sr.

Arthur Robert Knauf Sr., 85, of Lisbon, N.Y., passed away Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015.

He was born Dec. 19, 1930, the son of Frank W. and Louise (Herold) Knauf. He was the seventh of eight children.

He married Lois Jean Jones on Nov. 30, 1964, at St. Peter's Reformed Church in Zelienople.

He graduated from Zelienople High School in Zelienople.

He was employed at the family feed mill, Knauf Feed Mill, worked as a school bus driver and at Dambaugh Lumber until his employment at Berry Metal, where he worked for 25 years as a foundry worker and in shipping and receiving.

He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, after serving his country from 1952 to 1954 in the Korean War.

He attended St. Peter's Reformed Church in Zelienople with his family and was active in all aspects of it, serving as a trustee, deacon and elder.

He was a lifetime director of the Big Butler Fair. He managed the concessions there and enjoyed all aspects of fair time.

Archie had many hobbies, but none as dear to his heart as raising chickens. His knowledge gained him great recognition at fairs across the state, winning numerous ribbons and trophies. Every spring he would incubate eggs for his children's classrooms. He was a PSACF director and 2005 Pennsylvania State Association County Fair Person of the Year.

In his younger years he raised, worked, and showed Percheron Draft Horses, winning several Grand Champion designations at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

He was a member the Harmony Historical Society, H.O.P.E. Poultry Club, Northern New York Poultry Club, Harmony Borough Council and the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum.

His love for his family was one of his greatest achievements, being a loving and supportive husband and a father of his three children. He adored all of his grandchildren and followed all of their activities. He also loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was a four-year survivor of lymphoma. He also survived a truck crash as he was moving to New York. This past November, he and his wife, Lois, celebrated 51 wonderful years of marriage.

Surviving are his wife, two daughters, Amy Ruth (Knauf) Todd of Newark, Ohio, and Carol Jean (Knauf) Smith and her husband, David B. Smith, of Lisbon, N.Y.; and his son, Arthur R. Knauf Jr. and his wife, Barbara (Kukrus) Knauf, of Heuvelton, N.Y.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Benjamin Todd, Alexandra (Todd) Chacey and her husband, Douglas Chacey, and Perry Todd, Colin, Coleman, Carson and Caleigh Jean Smith and Mason and Hayden Knauf; and one great-grandchild, Haydyn Sarah-Marie Todd.

Also surviving are two sisters, Dorothy Knauf and Louise (Knauf) Drushel of Evans City; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Knauf was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Elnora Knauf and Margaret (Knauf) Sharrar; and his brothers, Franklin, Clyde and Richard Knauf.

KNAUF — A memorial service for Arthur R. Knauf Sr., who passed away Dec. 31, 2015, will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 16 at St. Peter's Reformed Church in Zelienople with the Rev. James Bertoti officiating. Burial will be later.