James W. Knabb, 93, of Vandergrift, went to sing with the Lord on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Quality Life Services (West Haven Manor) in Washington Township. He was born March 30, 1925, in Vandergrift, a son of the late James Knabb and Margaret (Robinson) Knabb. James was a 1943 graduate of Vandergrift High School. For 37 years, he was employed as a machinist with American Standard in Swissvale until his retirement in 1979. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Vandergrift, where he served as a Sunday school teacher and choir director for 50 years, as well as being the director of the East Vandergrift Sing-A-Long. James was also a member of the Odd Fellows I.O.O.F. No. 116. He was the recipient of The President's Volunteer Service Award. James enjoyed going for walks and mowing his lawn. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Betty (Huffman) Knabb; two sons, Jeffrey L. Knabb (Mary Jo) and Gregg A. Knabb, all of Vandergrift; a granddaughter, Jackie Kromka; a great-grandson, Dashiell James Lindsay; a sister, Jean Magness, of North Apollo; and a brother-in-law, Dr. Ronald D. Huffman, of Helotes, Texas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Knabb; and three sisters, Betty Stewart, Virginia Castle and Mary Louise Beck.
Private family visitation and services will be held at CLAWSON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CENTER, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051. Entombment will be private at Greenwood Mausoleum in Lower Burrell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in James' memory to Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10001, or to Meals on Wheels, 167 Lincoln St., Vandergrift, PA 15690. Condolences to the Knabb family may be offered at www.clawsonfuneralhome.com.
Published in The Valley News Dispatch on May 31, 2018