ONEONTA – Ethel P. Knapp, 81, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 11, 2010 at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, with her children by her side, following her long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born February 11, 1929 in Oneonta, the daughter of Leonard and Lillian (Hughes) Wheeler.

Upon her graduation from Oneonta High School, Ethel was employed as a telephone operator at NY Telephone Company.

She married Oren "Doc" C. Knapp in 1948 and moved to her home in the Town of Oneonta, where she gardened, volunteered for charities and raised her family.

Retiring from New York Telephone Company with 25 years of service, Ethel was a teaching assistant in the toddler's room in the SUCO Children's Center. Ethel also lead the nursery room Sunday School at Elm Park Methodist Church for many years.

As a member of the First United Methodist Church, Ethel served on the Administration Board.

Active in the Martha Chapter OES, she served as Worthy Matron in 1981. She was a long time Committee Women for the Town of Oneonta Republican Committee and member of the Women's Republican Club.

Her proudest roles were loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.

She is survived by her husband, Oren "Doc" Knapp of Oneonta; two sons, Gary and his wife, Kathleen Knapp of Central Square, and John and his wife, Mary Knapp of Floral Park Long Island; a daughter, Sharon Knapp of North Franklin; grandchildren, Garrison and wife, Kim Knapp, Nicholas and wife, Runa Knapp, and John Joseph Knapp; a great-grandson, Tyler Knapp; three brothers, Burrell "Ted" and wife, Carol Lee Wheeler, Jesse and wife, Ruth Wheeler, Richard Wheeler; a sister, Joan and husband, Douglas Bush; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann and husband, James McNulty and Violet Knapp; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and their families, all of whom she was very fond and loved dearly.

She was predeceased by her beloved mother, Lillian Wheeler; her father, Leonard Wheeler; her step-mother, Marie Wheeler; her brother, Leonard "Sonny" and wife, Helen Wheeler; and dear sister, Nancy Angellotti.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 17, 2010 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta, with an Order of the Eastern Star service at 4 p.m.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Teressa Sivers, officiating.



Interment will follow at the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.

At the family's request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the OHS Alumni Association Scholarship, PO Box 289, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com.

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, is serving the family.