Upcoming Events

Open Modal

Pastor Robert “Bob” McKnight of Jefferson, formerly of Scranton

 Pastor Robert “Bob” Earl McKnight, age 85, of Jefferson, IA, formerly of Scranton, IA, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, IA surrounded by his family.

     Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Jefferson with Pastor Daniel Cunningham officiating.  Organist for the service will be by Dorothy Taylor.  Casket bearers will be Robert Plager, William McKnight, Van Harden, Chris Soyer, Michael Hulsebus, and Darrell Geisler.  Burial will be in the Jefferson Cemetery.

     Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton from 5 – 7 P.M. on Wednesday.  The casket will be moved to First Baptist Church in Jefferson at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M. prior to the service.

     Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

    Bob was born on March 23, 1937 on his family’s farm near Meadow Grove, NE, and he was the son of Oliver and Della Ruth (Swarm) McKnight.  His father passed away when he was four years old and his mother later married William Ayers.  He graduated from Meadow Grove High School in 1954 and then attended Nebraska Christian College for one year where he met his future bride.  Bob was married to Laura Johnson on August 14, 1955 at the Church of Christ in Scranton, IA.  The couple lived in Norfolk, NE, Sioux Falls, SD, and Aberdeen, SD, while Bob worked for the Nash – Finch Company as office manager.  They moved to Slater, IA, after taking a new job with Texaco.  They then moved to Huxley, IA.  Bob decided to go back to school at the Iowa Christian College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree of Sacred Literature.  His first church was in Lancaster, MO, then Grandview, MO, Altoona, IA, and then to Scranton.  Bob served as Pastor of the Scranton Church of Christ for over 30 years retiring 2021 and moving to Jefferson.  From 1973 – 1977, the McKnight Family traveled throughout Iowa, Colorado and South Dakota singing as the McKnight’s Good News and Gospel Music Group.  When Bob graduated as Valedictorian from Iowa Christian, he was proud to carry his first grandson Steven down the aisle with him.  In his spare time, Bob enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his family.  Most importantly, Bob devoted his life to his ministry, serving Christ, and sharing the Gospel.

     Bob is survived by his wife Laura of 67 years of Jefferson; son William ‘Billy” McKnight (Carrie) of Menominee, WI; son Robert O. McKnight of Littleton, CO; daughter Rebecca E. Harden (Van) of Adel, IA; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

     Bob was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Della (McKnight) Ayers; in-laws Ed and Ellen Johnson; two brothers: Oliver Dean and Darrell; and a grandson Steven Plager.

Recommended Posts

Loading...