Harold’s Obituary Harold A. Knechel, 87, of Harleysville, PA, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, May 3rd, 2019, at Peter Becker Community, Harleysville, PA. He was the loving husband of Gladys G. (Moyer) Knechel for 66 years. Harold was born on the Knechel farm, in Harleysville, to the late Herbert Sr. and Edna (Anders) Knechel.
Throughout his lifetime, Harold was a self employed dairy farmer on the Knechel farm. His daily life involved teaching his family through hard work and working together. He was a man with great vision and determination to serve the Lord, through farming opportunities and many other business opportunities.
He was a former member of the Farm Credit Board of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, ASC – Agriculture Soil Conservation, FSA – Farm Service Agency of Montgomery County, NFO – National Farmers Organization and the Bux-Mont Gideons International. As a lifetime member of the Towamencin Mennonite Church, Harold served as a former Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher and on the cemetery committee. His life was characterized by a continual passion for reaching people with the love of Christ through his daily life and through a ministry of gospel signs on various local buildings.
Harold was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved the Lord, his family and his church. Connecting with people wherever he went, his conversations would typically include words about the “Good Lord” and His blessings that were being shared throughout that day, regardless of whether it was a great or difficult day.
He enjoyed going to Lancaster where he connected with many people through speaking Pennsylvania Dutch and by talking about farming. For 40+ years, he and Gladys enjoyed many winter weeks together with family and friends in Pinecraft and Sarasota, Florida. In addition to his wife, Gladys, he is survived by six children: three sons, Jeryl Knechel and his wife Eileen of Harleysville; Dean Knechel and his wife Kathleen of Harleysville; Darryl Knechel and his wife Stacey of Harleysville; three daughters, Phyllis Leatherman and her husband Gerald of Harleysville; Eileen Parmer and her husband Loren of Harleysville; Gloria Bergey and her husband Lowell of Hatfield; 33 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by a brother, Ernest Knechel and his wife Mildred of Alburtis. In addition to his parents, Harold was preceded in death by four brothers: Jerry, Frank, Herbert and Marvin, and an infant sister, Grace. A viewing and time to greet the family will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at Towamencin Mennonite Church, 1980 Sumneytown Pike, Harleysville, PA, 19438, from 2:30 to 4:00 pm and 5:00 to 6:30 pm, followed by a funeral service at 7:00 pm.
Interment will be on Monday, May 20, 2019, at Towamencin Mennonite Church Cemetery at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Harold’s memory to: Water for Life, P.O. Box 456 Kalona, IA, 52247 (for the drilling of new wells in Haiti). Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, Pennsylvania 18964.
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