Willard E. Knowles

Willard Knowles, age 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon at home.  Born September 6, 1935 in Scranton, he was the son of the late Irvin and Martha Gowe Knowles.

He was a 1953 graduate of Abington Heights High School.  His employment included Oneida Motor Freight, Fowler & Williams, and Associate Transport, where he was the Safety Supervisor of the northeast district.  While semi-retired, he enjoyed working for Colombo Enterprises, Inc.

Willard was a longstanding member of the Clarks Summit Fire Department and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union, Local 229.   He was an avid golfer and skillfully procured three holes-in-one.  He was a proud member of the Emanon Country Club, Falls, Clearwater Hackers Golf League, and the Thursday Men's League of Landing Golf Club, Fl. He was also a NASCAR enthusiast and a big Richard Petty fan.   He shared his love for music as an accomplished saxophonist and organist.

Willard is survived by his loving companion of 30 years, Janice Thomas Burkhart of South  Abington Township; his daughters and their families, Andrea Knowles Garofalo and husband Sam and their three children Michael, Nicholas, and Danielle Garofalo of Clarks Summit; Lisa Knowles Friday and husband James Seay, and their son Jonathan Knowles and wife Sara of Montpelier, Va.; Marlene Knowles  and  Ashley Covington of Charlotte, NC; two great-grandchildren Jordan Knowles and Peyton Illing;  his brother George Knowles and wife Jeanne of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl., and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Evergreen Cemetery, Factoryville, PA.

Friends may call on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.