Doris Evan (McPherson) Knittel

Doris Eva (McPherson) Knittel, 96, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at Norwalk Memorial Home after a brief illness. She was born on March 19, 1925, in Bronson Twp. to the late Wayne and Ethel (Cole) McPherson. She lived her whole life in the same neighborhood, and married the boy next door, Richard A. Knittel, on July 12, 1947. They were married 63 years before his passing on Nov. 11, 2010. Doris was the last survivor of the class of 1943 at North Fairfield High School. She was also a graduate of the Oberlin School of Commerce. Doris was employed at Willard United Bank in North Fairfield, Fanny Farmer Candies, and retired from Fair Publishing. Her greatest joy was being a farmer's wife and raising her five children. Doris is survived by her children, Mary Ann Tillinghast, of Berlin Heights, Dale (Tammy) Knittel, of Norwalk, Ronald Knittel, of Sandusky, and Barbara (Edward) Smialowski, of Milan; grandchildren, Stacey, Jason, Sara, Tina, Dana, Kyle, Chad, Chasity, and Caleb; 22 great-grandchildren; sisters, Alice Babcock, of New Haven, Ohio, and Helen Boulis, of Brazoria, Texas; and special person, Deborah Mannering, of Jackson, Ohio. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; son, Duane Knittel, in 2007; son-in-law, Timothy Tillinghast, in 2014; great-grandson in infancy, Warren; and sister, Kathryn Statzer. A celebration of Doris' life will take place at a later date. Burial will take place at Hester Cemetery on Ridge Road in Bronson Twp. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Doris' name to Southern Care Hospice, 9501 U.S. 250 N. Ste 2, Milan, OH 44846, or to the Huron County Humane Society, 246 Woodlawn Ave., Norwalk, OH 44857. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.