Obituary was published July 16, 2008.

William James Knechtel, infant son of the Rev. William Robert Knechtel, pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Lackawannock Township, and Alice Marie Kendall Knechtel, both of 40 Dogwood Lane, West Middlesex, was stillborn at 12:12 p.m. Friday (7-11-08) in UPMC Horizon, Farrell.

“This child was a gift from God and changed our lives forever.”

Surviving besides his parents are: his maternal grandparents, Charles and Phyllis Hoover Kendall, Blairsville, Pa.; his paternal grandparents, Ken and Joni Bair Knechtel, Mercer; his paternal grandmother, Marilyn Bair, Mercer; and his maternal grandmother, Marian Hoover, Dillsburg, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his paternal great-grandfather, William James Bair, after whom he was named; and his maternal great-grandfather, Daniel Hoover.

Calling hours were Monday (7-14-08) in Lebanon Presbyterian Church, Lackawannock Township.

Funeral service was Monday in the church with the Rev. William R. Knechtel, the infant’s father and church pastor, and the Rev. James Leuenberger, pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Mercer, co-officiating.

Interment in Lebanon Presbyterian Cemetery, Greenfield.

Arrangements by Smith Funeral Home, West Middlesex.