Bonnie R. Knecht, age 84, of Brookville, Indiana died Friday, March 23, 2018 at St. Andrews Health Campus in Batesville, Indiana, following an extended illness.

Born March 27, 1933 in Independence, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Thomas & Leta (Morehouse) Ford. On February 14, 1953 she became the wife of Robert G. Knecht, and he preceded her in death on May 12, 1986.

Bonnie was a homemaker, and had also babysat for area children. She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Brookville; 50 year member of the Daughters of Isabella St. Catherine Circle; and the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She along with her late husband were also instrumental in starting the Blood Drives in Franklin County many years ago. In her leisure time she enjoyed flower gardening, cooking, traveling, and playing bingo.

Survivors include five children and their spouses, Denise (Ken) Handley of Brookville, Indiana, Deborah (Terry) Tolson of West Palm Beach, Florida, Thomas (Debbie) Knecht of Crestwood, Kentucky, Bobbi (Eric) Princell of Harrison, Ohio, Timothy (Linda Gaston) Knecht of Whitcomb, Indiana; 8 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two half-sisters, Rosalyn Urban of Henderson, Nevada and Karen Hitchcock of Chula Vista, California.

In addition to her parents and husband, Robert, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dolores Swinton, and four brothers, Howard, Jim, Don, and Allen Ford.

Family & friends may visit from 4 until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville; where the Daughters of Isabella will lead the Holy Rosary at 7:30 P.M..

The Very Rev. Sean R. Danda will officiate the Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 10:30 A.M., at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 145 East St. Michaels Blvd., Brookville. Burial will then follow in St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery in Brookville.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Michael Catholic Church, Alzheimer's Association or Hospice of Margaret Mary Community Hospital. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to serve the Knecht family, to sign the online guest book please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com .