Wanda J. Knafel, 89, of Ligonier, passed away on August 8, 2014, in Albion.

She was born on April 17, 1925, to Cecil and Frances (Ozier) Phares. She married Gust D. Knafel, Jr. He preceded her in death in 1995.

Wanda graduated from Wawaka High School in 1943. Early in adulthood, she was employed at Manley Popcorn in Kimmell and GE in Fort Wayne. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Ligonier Evangelical Church.

She is survived by 4 sons: Stan (Darlene) Knafel of New Paris, Tim Knafel of Ligonier, Ted (Janet) Knafel of Columbia City and Floyd Knafel of Syracuse; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a brother, Wilton Phares of Albion and a sister, Dorothy Smith of Salem, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her husband and a brother, Marvin Phares, in 2012.

A time of visitation with the family will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier.

A funeral service in her honor will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014 at Ligonier Evangelical Church. Pastor Troy Diersing will officiate.

Burial will be in Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell. Memorial contributions may be given to Ligonier Evangelical Church or Heartland Hospice