Obituary of Jessie Kneal

Jessie Marie Kneal July 15, 1917 - February 16, 2012 Jessie Marie Stevens was born in Deerfield on July 15, 1917. She was the daughter of the late Cyrene and Pearl (Simpson) Stevens. She attended Petersburg High School. Jessie married William O. Kneal on November 7, 1938 at the Petersburg Lower Light Tabernacle. Jessie was a very talented writer, authoring five books, and had written much poetry. For more than forty years she served as the editor of the Lower Light Evangelist. She had a keen memory and loved to share the Lord with others. Jessie was a loving, supportive pastor's wife and beloved mentor to many. In 1954, the couple began work on the Petersburg church converting an old school and adding an addition. The grounds would become a church plant for other area works. They had pastored in Adrian, Tecumseh, Algansee, and Caro prior to the Petersburg mission. Jessie enjoyed reading her Bible and loved attending the church camp, and was a self-taught pianist. She loved to bake and can; was talented with drawing, crocheting and sewing, making many of her own clothes. Jessie Marie Kneal age 94 of Dundee passed away peacefully during a sing along to "The Sweet By and By" on Thursday, February 16, 2012. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by three brothers: Nello "Jim", Milo, and Victor Stevens; and two great grandsons: Josh Coggins and Tim Nichols. To cherish her memory she leaves a husband of more than 73 years: William O. of Dundee; three children: Grace (David) Linville of Petersburg, William D. (Betty) Kneal of Ida, and Carol (Mark) Bickerton of Tucson, AZ; three sisters: Muriel Stevens of Deerfield, Rena Kidman of Sylvania, and Twila Shoemaker of Deerfield; nine grandchildren; nineteen great grand grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. Friends may gather from 3:00-8:00pm, Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the Petersburg Lower Light Church, 326 East Elm with a Praise Service at 7:00pm. She will lie in state from 12:00pm until A Celebration of Her Life at 1:00pm, Monday, February 20, 2012 also at the church with Pastor Mark Bickerton of Monte Cristo Christian Union and Rev. David Linville of the Petersburg church her sons-in-law co-officiating. Memorial donations for those who desire are suggested to the Petersburg Lower Light Church. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, send a floral tribute, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.