Ronald P. Knight, 79, of Venus, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 11, 2015.
Born February 13, 1936, he was a son of the late Paul and Mildred Hydinger Knight.
Ron graduated from Cranberry High School in 1954.
He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Alaska.
Ron was a member of the Venus United Evangelical Church.
He owned and operated Knight’s Excavating. He loved his John Deere tractors.
Ron was employed by North Penn Gas Co., until his retirement in 1998.
He was an avid sports fan, following his children and grandchildren’s activities. In his earlier years, he played basketball, baseball, playing in the Hayrake League in Venus, and enjoyed bowling. Throughout his years, he coached several teams.
Ron enjoyed hunting and fishing, a proud member of the NRA and the Oil City Izaak Walton.
He served his community in many ways; serving on many boards, Cranberry and Vo-Tech school boards, Harvest Home association, Venus Telephone Company, and the Venus Cemetery Association, often serving as president.
On August 24, 1957 he married the former S. Evelyn Russell, who preceded him in death on August 23, 1998.
Surviving are his fiancé, Trudy Hogue of Venus; his beloved eight children, Steven (Wendy) Knight of Franklin, Samuel (Marta) Knight of Oil City, Mark (Peggy) Knight of Gordonsville VA, Kathleen (Steve) Klapec of Sandy Lake, Kristine (Joe) Winger of Venus, Rebecca (Mike) Berry of Reno, William (Karen) Knight of Seneca, and Gloria (Scott) Kerr of Meadville; 25 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Also surviving are three sisters-in-law, Mary Shindledecker of Reno, Deanie Russell of Pittsburgh and Bev Hughes of Tippery.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Knight, a grandson, Brad Knight and a granddaughter, Grace Kerr.
Friends may call at the Morrison Funeral Home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm.
Funeral services will be held at the Venus United Evangelical Church on Saturday at 11 am with the Rev. Richard Kightlinger, officiating.
Interment will be in the Venus Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Venus United Evangelical Church or to the America Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be sent to Morrison Funeral Home.
