Erich “Scotty” Gustav Knechtel, 88, of Economy Borough passed away peacefully on January 19, 2023, at Heritage Valley, Beaver He was born on February 24, 1934, in Monaca, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Anna and Kurt Knechtel.
Erich attended Monaca school district. He enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Korean War acquiring the rank of Sergeant. He worked at the Conway Post Office, was a school bus driver, and then a Conductor Brakeman for Conrail for 43 years retiring in 1986. Erich was always found enjoying the outdoors. He would take his family boating, camping, vacations visiting family, worked on many vehicles throughout the years (even on vacations), loved to garden, visit friends and neighbors, and ride around in his golf cart (even running from his therapists)! He was quite a prankster throughout the years! He was a member of the Economy Grange for many years holding many offices. He was a member of Three Rivers Paddling Club (TRPC) where in his 60’s he learned to kayak. He was a long-time member of Rehoboth Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Erich was one of seven children to Anna and Kurt. He is preceded in death by sister, Gertude “Traudy” and husband Clarence “Rusty” Ayers, and brothers, Kurt “Tonsie”, Theodore “Ted” and wife Shirley, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Milliken. He is survived by sisters and brother Anna Marie, Glenn and wife, Sandi, and Eileen Milliken, and sister-in-law, Patricia.
On January 3, 1959, he married and is survived by his wife of 64 years, Corinne Lynn Leck of Crafton-Ingram. Together they had 3 sons, Scott (Lori) of Cranberry Twp, Jeff (Dawn) of Kailua, HI, Kevin “Joe” (Judy) of Winchester, VA, and 1 daughter, Lisa (Eric) Patton of Economy. Grandfather to Melissa, Daniel (Julie), Kurtis, Karly, Katy, and Colton Knechtel, Jaclyn Majcher, Sammie and Brandon Patton, Michael (Savannah), Tennyson, and Grace DeMarco, and Isaiah Clerkley. Great Grandfather to Santino and Vincent DeMarco, and Madison Knechtel, and one on the way. Former daughters-in-law: Colleen Lawrence Kardasz, Cathleen Majcher, and Susan Kidd Knechtel. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and family friends. He will be missed by his best fur buddy, Houdini, who would spend many days laying on his chest.
Friends and Family will be received at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca on Thursday, January 26, from 2-4 and 6-8. Funeral will be Friday, January 27, at 10:30 am at Rehoboth Ev. Lutheran Church in Economy. Interment will immediately follow at Rehoboth Cemetery. Celebration of life provided at Rehoboth Lutheran Church to follow.
Donations can be made to Rehoboth Ev. Lutheran Church in his name.
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