Wilma Annabelle Kniess of Prospect died May 1.

The daughter of Henry M. and Lillie Hines Taylor, Wilma was born and raised on a farm in Prospect.

During World War II, Wilma worked at the Deshon Hospital, now VA Butler Healthcare.

After the war, she married Robert Blair “Fuzz” Kniess of Whitestown. Together they owned and operated the Kniess Sunoco Gas Station for many years.

Wilma was well known for her love of antiques and her skill at refinishing antique furniture. Over the years, she and her husband restored their Prospect home.

A lifelong member of The Presbyterian Church of Prospect, Wilma possessed a strong faith in the Lord.

She was active in the Prospect Preservation Society and always looked forward to the Prospect Memorial Day Parade. In 2000, she created a quilt of Prospect in celebration of the town's 175th anniversary.

Her remarkable and fine handwriting can be seen on the Roll of Honor for Veterans in the Prospect Fire Hall.

An active walker for many years, Wilma stopped to talk to everyone in town. She made countless meals for neighbors in need and those without family. Her cooking, especially her pies, were renowned.

From her bountiful garden, she shared produce, always planting more than she needed so that others could enjoy her harvest.

Wilma will be remembered for her kind and generous spirit, her courage to stand up for what was right and the joy she had in seeing others- succeed. Her wit and humor were with her till the end, always gently instructing her family to live a good and simple life.

To her family, she left a love of old-fashioned ways, the ability to see the good in all things and deep faith that better days were coming.

Her husband, six sisters, two brothers, and a son-in-law preceded her in death.

Survivors, who she prayed for daily, include three daughters, Mrs. June Davis of Slippery Rock, Mrs. Joel (Deborah) Cunningham of Slippery Rock and Mrs. Bruce (Beth) Miller of Prospect; a son, Gary (Kay) Cooper of Schererville, Ind.; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

<B>KNIESS</B> — A memorial service in celebration of the life of Wilma A Kniess, who died Sunday, May 1, 2011, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at the The Presbyterian Church of Prospect with the Rev. Robert Allison, church pastor, and the Rev. Dana Opp of the Presbyterian Church of Portersville officiating.Arrangements are under the direction of the <B>Jay Bryan Funeral Home</B>, Prospect.