Jane Marie Knafel, 76, of rural Columbia City, passed away at 1:44 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Born December 24, 1948, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Lucy I. (Eisenhauer) Frantz.  Growing up in Fort Wayne, she graduated from Central High School in 1967.

On May 20, 1968, she married James C. Knafel.  They made their first home in Fort Wayne, moving to Whitley County in 1971, where they raised two daughters.

In addition to being a homemaker, Jane worked various factory jobs, completing her work career at Fort Wayne Fleet, preparing new trucks for shipment from the GM Assembly Plant.

At home, she enjoyed flower gardening and preparing delicious home-cooked meals for her family. She is remembered for her fantastic soups.  She liked riding with her husband on their Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, touring the central states.  When the grandkids and great-grandkids came along, they became her pride and joy, babysitting them often in their early years.

Surviving is her husband of 57 years, James; daughters, Hope (Scott) Parish and Michele (Tim Dreyer) Knafel, both of Columbia City; grandchildren, Jessica (Tyler) Wallace of Fort Wayne and Shelbie (Sam) Wickey of Yoder, and a brother, John (Valarie) Frantz.

She was preceded in death by a sisters, Mary Alice Alder and Patricia Baker, and brothers, Joseph and Philip Frantz.

Jane desired no services.  She will be interred at a later date at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Arcola.