Mrs. Bertha "Bertie" Despeaux Knill, age 88 of Frederick, passed away as she lived her life, surrounded by her many family and friends on Friday, February 8, 2013 at Frederick Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late Russell Douglas "Doug" Knill who passed away on November 18, 1985. Born on February 3, 1925 in Frederick, she was the daughter of the late Frank Howard and Nannie Sophia (Shankle) Despeaux. Mrs. Knill was a life long committed member of the Frederick Church of the Brethren. She was a woman of strong faith, attending regularly. She served the church as a Sunday School teacher. She was a graduate of Frederick High School in the Class of 1943. She began work at Sagners Sewing Factory, and then continuing part time work at Sears & Roebuck. Her jobs were always second to being a great mother. She was very active with raising her family and loved hosting family and friends in her home. She would welcome anyone into her home. Over the years she had an evolving coffee club that would meet at her home. Mrs. Knill is survived by her three children, Douglas Lee Knill and wife Patsy of Myersville, Karen Rebecca Knill Hargett, of Frederick and James Russell Knill of Hagerstown; her grandchildren, Stacey A. Crespo and husband Brian, Abbey L. Austin, Aaron D. Knill, Danny Storm, Frank Storm, Heather R. Delauter and husband Matt, Corey Hargett and friend Ann Priddle, Ty Hargett and friend Lisa Price, Zachary Knill and Jared Knill; her great-grandchildren, Jacob Crespo, Logan Crespo, Alyssa Crespo, Madison Crespo, Sam Austin, Lee Austin, Caitlynn Austin, Rebecca Austin, Mariah Pickett, Kaitryn Delauter, Kelsey Delauter, Cara Hargett, Landon Knill, and Tripp Knill. She is also survived by her sister-in-laws Virginia Despeaux and Bettie Knill and brother-in-law John Knill and wife Marion Knill and many nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her three close friends known as the coffee club, Betty Shankle, Booty Getzandanner, and Hap Keeney. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings, Clyde "Eugene" Despeaux, John H. "Leroy" Despeaux, Nannie "Sis" Shade, Joshua N. "Bud" Despeaux, Eva V. "Gin" Betts, Frank B. "Ike" Despeaux, and Paul A. Despeaux. A special mention to be made of her sister-in-law, Sally L. Despeaux whom she shared a life long friendship until her death in 1992. Friends will be received at the Frederick Church of the Brethren, 201 Fairview Avenue, (2nd St. Extended) Frederick, MD 21701 on Monday, February 11, 2013 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM where services will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 11 AM. Rev. Dr. Paul Mundey and Rev. Sandi Evans Rogers will officiate. The interment will follow at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. Contributions maybe made in her name to the Frederick Church of the Brethren at the above address. Arrangements by the Keeney & Basford P.A. Funeral Home and for those wishing to view Mrs. Knill's online memorial may do so by going to www.keeneybasford.com.
