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Obituary of Mary Knize Mary J. Knize, age 97 formerly of Lower River Rd. in Lewiston, died Sunday March 29, 2015 in Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence in Lewiston, where she has been a resident since 2009.Mary was born August 12, 1917 on her family's farm in Pendleton, NY, the daughter of the late Howard and Rose (Landel) Melancon. She was a 1936 graduate of Grover Cleveland High School and had worked for Grant's Department Store during WW II. Mary had also worked as a bookkeeper for several years. On December 25, 1942 she married Henry "Hank" J. Knize and they moved to Lewiston in 1950.Mary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston and a former member of the Niagara County Cooperative Extension "Thursday Niters". She had volunteered at Artpark for many years and volunteered and provided the baked goods for many of the functions at the Church.Mary took great joy in watching her backyard birds and viewing the sunsets over the river from her front window. All of her life, Mary loved to sew, making her own and her daughter Linda's clothing. She also made several unique machine quilts. Mary enjoyed working in her extensive vegetable garden and numerous flower beds. Her baking abilities were widely recognized especially her sweet rolls, almond coffee cake, and all kinds of pies, most notably her grape and raisin pie. She and Hank liked to search for antiques together and spent many hours refinishing furniture as well. Mary will be remembered for many of these talents and hobbies but most of all it will be her patience, kindness, and beautiful spirit that will fill our memories. Hank predeceased Mary on March 14, 2008. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Knize-Harper (James Harper) of Colorado Springs, CO , her granddaughter, Eileen Harper of South Seoul, Korea, and several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her son, Kenneth Knize; her sisters, Norma Leininger, Selma Fetzek, and Victorine Marquardt; and her brothers, Howard and Walter Melancon. Mary also leaves her beloved caregivers of many years, Donna and Sharon Lengen, and Ava Mitchell.Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston on Wednesday from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 pm. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 2, at 11:00 am in the funeral home, with the Rev. Elizabeth Morgan officiating. Burial will be private in Dickersonville Cemetery, Lewiston. In keeping with Mary's love of her flower gardens, flowers will be gratefully accepted.

Mary married KNIZE, Henry J on 25 Dec 1942. Henry (son of KNIZE, James and SEDLAK, Helen) was born on 22 May 1917 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 14 Mar 2008 in Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: HARPER, James. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Niagara Gazette

NORTH TONAWANDA — Kenneth J. Knize, age 63, of North Tonawanda, died unexpectedly, Monday, November 15, 2010 in the Waterfront Health Care Center in Buffalo, after a brief illness.

Ken was born November 20, 1946 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of Mary J. (Melancon) Knize of Lewiston and the late Henry J. Knize. He was a 1966 graduate of Lewiston Porter High School and received an Associates Degree in 1968 from Niagara County Community College. In August of 1969 he began his career with the NY State Department of Transportation. Ken retired as a Senior Engineering Technician in May of 2007. He had lived in North Tonawanda since 1985.

Ken was a unique person who certainly marched to the beat of his own drummer. Never having lost his innocent, childlike quality, Ken was content in his own world. He recently described himself as "stuck in the '50's", still talking about Buddy Holly's death and his admiration for Roy Orbison. In his heaven, Ken is driving around in the Knight Rider KITT car and "rockin' around the clock" with his 1950's musical heroes.

In addition to his mother, Ken is survived by a sister, Linda (James) Knize-Harper of Colorado Springs, CO; and a niece, Eileen Harper.

Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth and Ridge Sts., Lewiston on Friday from 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 20th at 10:00 AM in the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Bellingham, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, officiating. Burial in the Dickersonville Cemetery, Lewiston will be private. Memorials may be made to The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), 317 South Patrick St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online registry.