Willard L. Knitter, 92, of Plainfield Twp., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at St. Luke's Hospital - Anderson Campus. He was the beloved husband of the late Laurene Knitter (Pensyl) to whom he was married to for 50 years before her passing in 2004. Born in Plainfield Township, Willard was a son of the late Charles and Minne Knitter (Moyer).

A lifelong dairy farmer in Plainfield Township, he devoted much of his life to the land, his animals, and the hard work that came with farm life. Farming was more than an occupation to him-it was simply who he was. A proud John Deere man through and through, he had a deep appreciation for the land and took great pride in growing vegetables and produce. For many years, he was well known throughout the area for selling his homegrown produce, becoming a familiar and friendly face to generations of local customers.

In addition to farming, he was formerly employed by the former toy factory in Pen Argyl. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting in the Saylorsburg area, although as the years passed, he found just as much enjoyment in watching wildlife. One of his favorite pastimes was taking a ride to look for deer. His family fondly remembers him talking to the deer along the roadside, often encouraging them to stay put and not cross in front of the car-a simple habit that became one of those treasured little things that was uniquely his.

He especially enjoyed gardening and raising vegetables and produce, carrying his lifelong connection to the soil well beyond the daily work of the farm. He was also a former member of Hope United Church of Christ in Wind Gap.

Willard will be lovingly remembered by his three daughters: Kathleen Suranofsky (Dennis) of Plainfield Twp., Diane Ziegenfus of Saylorsburg and Christine Williams (James) of Plainfield Twp.; grandchildren: Jody Honey (Lee John) of Kunkletown, Samantha Suranofsky of Kunkletown, Kristen McKenrick (Darien) of Bechtelsville and Madison Williams of Laconia, NH. great-grandchildren: Ryan Honey and Paisley McKenrick; many nieces & nephews. Willard was predeceased by a son-in-law Tommy Ziegenfus; a great-grandson Austin Honey and siblings: Helen R. Johnson & Howard, Abraham, WIlliam and Wilbert Knitter, Sr.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the GEORGE G. BENSING FUNERAL HOME, INC. - 2165 Community Drive, Bath, PA 18014. Friends and Relatives are invited to a viewing and vistation with family on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Plainfield Cemetery. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at: bensingfuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered to Northampton/Monroe County Farm Bureau 4H Program c/o Kathy Raub 1459 Tatamy Road - Easton, PA 18045 and/or the Dementia Society of America - PO Box 600 - Doylestown, PA 18901. www.dementiasociety.org