Allen Joseph Knappenberger

Allen Joseph Knappenberger, youngest son of John and Ellen (Richards) Knappenberger, was born February 3, 1926 in Allegheny Township in Westmoreland County, PA.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 58 years, Retha J. (Patterson) Knappenberger, his brothers, John and Clifford Knappenberger, his sister, Vivian Mauthe, and a son-in-law, Jerry W. Appleton.  His wife of 11 years, Jean (Black) Watterson Knappenberger, died in June 2018.

He is survived by his daughters, Cindy Gibson (Harold), Susan Appleton, as well as four granddaughters, Dr. Elisabeth Schussler (Dr. Charles Kwit), Sarah (Schussler) Ferguson, Kathryn Schussler and Thuy (Gibson) Frederick (Lorenzo).  He also leaves three great-grandchildren, Laura Lester, Trenton and Grant Ferguson.  In addition, he is survived by four stepchildren, Todd Watterson (Valerie), Carol Boarts (Jeff), Barbara Ellis, Sue Ann Wasser (Greg) and their families.

Allen was a graduate of Leechburg High School Class of 1944.  At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps (now the Air Force) and served during World War II from 1944-1946.  Upon returning from the War, he entered the machinist apprenticeship program at US Steel.  In 1954, he joined Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation as a machinist where he continued his career until 1988 when he retired in the position of Superintendent of Maintenance for Allegheny Ludlum in West Leechburg.

He was active in the Leechburg community as a member of the Lion’s Club, the Leechburg Historical Society, the Leechburg Rotary Club, the Leechburg Pool and Park, and the Masonic Lodge.  In addition, he was an active member of the Calvary United Presbyterian Church of Leechburg.

Allen died on Monday, February 20, 2023 after living at Concordia in Cabot, PA for 15 years.

There will be no public visitation or funeral ceremonies.  The Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051 has been entrusted with private arrangements. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Donations in memory of Allen may be sent to the Leechburg Museum, PO Box 156, Leechburg, PA 15656; or to the Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Attn: Development Office, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023.

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