Donald William Knisely

Donald William Knisely, 96, of New Philadelphia, died Monday, November 12, 2007 at Park Village Health Care Center at Dover.A son of the late William and Cora (Ridgway) Knisely, Donald was born September 10, 1911 at New Philadelphia, Ohio.Donald graduated in 1930 from New Philadelphia High School and ten years later on December 15th, he married the love of his life, the former Wilma Helmreich. Together, Donald and Wilma raised two sons, Donald and David. They shared 64 years of marriage prior to Wilma’s passing on August 24, 2005.He worked as the manager of the Ridgway Company for 36 years and upon completion of his employment with the Ridgway Company, Donald became the Auditor for the City of New Philadelphia. Two years later, he was appointed the city’s Income Tax Administrator and was instrumental in forming the first income tax office for the city of New Philadelphia in 1980.Donald had a passion for flying and he continued flying airplanes until the age of 93. He became the first resident of Tuscarawas County to own an airplane when he traded a 1930 Harley Davidson motorcycle for an airplane he didn’t yet know how to fly. After acquiring the plane, he took flying lessons from Harry Clever and he then became a flight instructor himself for the United States Army Air Corps. At the age of 80, Donald helped restore a 1943 Taylor Craft, which was used as a reconnaissance plane in World War II, which he flew until recent years.He was a member of the First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia and was also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Tuscarawas County Historical Society.He is survived by two sons, Donald (Shirley) Knisely and David (Kendra) Knisely both of New Philadelphia; eight grandchildren, Bill (Shelly) Knisely of Dover, Mike (Staci) Knisely of New Philadelphia, Michelle (John) Sturiale of Massillon, Scott (Melinda) Knisely of New Philadelphia, Kurt (Angie) Knisely of New Philadelphia, Heather (Paul) May of New Philadelphia, Heath (Natalie) Knisely of Irvine, California and Brock (Jenn) Knisely of Dublin, Ohio; 12 great grandchildren, Terry Gibson, Javin and Cain Knisely, Logan and Samantha Knisely, Kara and Kaylan Sturiale, Alexander Knisely, Dugan and Baron Knisely and Ethan and Alexis Knisely; a sister Jane Sandy of Dover and nieces and nephews.Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wilma; a grandson, Dustin Knisely and three sisters and two brothers. Family and friends may call on Thursday, November 15, 2007 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Donald’s life will be held on Friday, November 16, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with Pastors Jeffrey Gerber and Jill Lovett officiating. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. A memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia immediately following the committal service.Contributions may be made in Donald’s memory to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.