Reverend Jacob "Jake" Knoedler's Obituary
Reverend Jacob “Jake” Ernest Knoedler passed away at the age of 85 at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne, Florida on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 18, 1933. He was preceded in death by his father Jacob Leech Knoedler and mother Alma Marie (Wazenegger) Knoedler, sister Betty Alma (Knoedler) Worsham, sister Jean Marie Knoedler, wife Dinah Knoedler, daughter Lynn Marie (Knoedler) Alexander, and daughter Susan Carol (Knoedler) Swanson. He is survived by his daughter Ruth Ellen Knoedler, son Thomas Andrew Knoedler, his stepchildren David Gerding, Carla Mobley, and Tonya Haynes, his 5 grandchildren (Jessica Halleck, Kyle Potts, Terra Luna Alexander, Coleman Alexander, and Chakata Hart), step-grandchild (Rachel Haynes), and great grandchild (Ethan Halleck).
Jacob graduated with a Masters in Divinity from Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, OH in 1959. He was the Assistant Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Roseville, MI, founding pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Saginaw MI, Christ Lutheran Church, Michigan Center, MI, and Advent Lutheran Church in Melbourne, FL. He also served as Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Orlando, FL. He devoted his life to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the many communities it serves. He strongly advocated for youth involvement in the church, and was very active in Luther League, vacation bible school, and Sunday school. Jake retired from his pastoral duties at the age of 65, but continued his service to the Lord and the Lutheran churches in Florida. He was a life-long golfer, and greatly enjoyed fellowship with his family and friends. His passing leaves a hole in our hearts that will be healed with time and the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2018 from 1 - 2 pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, 15236, followed by a Blessing Service at 2 pm and burial at 2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made either to the Knoedler Center (in honor of Rev. Jacob E. Knoedler) or its chapel (in honor of Mrs. Dinah Knoedler) by calling Advent Lutheran Church 321-259-8515 or online at http://www.adventbrevard.org . Condolences may be left at www.jeffersonmemorial.biz.
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