Janet E Knittle

Janet E. Knittle (nee Keller), 87 of Vermilion Township, died Saturday, May 23, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family following a lengthy decline in her health.

She was born on June 17, 1938, in Neptune City, New Jersey. She came from a family of nine children.

Janet met Lowell Knittle and they married on August 27, 1955. and lived in Vermilion Township most of their lives. Together they had four children. Early in their marriage, she cleaned cabins for the summer rentals in Mitiwanga and Ruggles Beach.

While raising the family they became 4-H advisors in Erie County for a horse club called “Rounders”. She worked at Schwensons Bakery in Vermilion decorating cakes. She started reading the help wanted ads in the paper and decided to interview with a few real estate companies. She “liked the idea that it was equal pay for equal work with the men.” “I didn’t know of any other business that worked that way and I knew I could do it.” She completed many real estate classes and passed her license test in 1974. This gave her flexibility to raise a family. In 1981 she took the real estate brokers test and the appraisal test and attained those as well. She was a realtor for 33 years. Vermilion Township was her area of expertise. Over the years she sold properties to multiple generations of the same family.

After being involved in a friend’s campaign for sheriff, it sparked interest for public office. She became involved in the Northwest Ohio League of Women Voters. During that time a Vermilion Township Trustee position became available. Janet decided to run and won as the first woman trustee in Vermilion Township and State of Ohio in January 1990. She was a dedicated Trustee and in 2005 was instrumental in acquiring the property located at 1907 State Road that is now the Vermilion Township Business Complex which also houses the first Vermilion Township Fire Department located in the township. On her birthday in 2024 the fire station was dedicated as “The Janet Knittle Vermilion Township Fire Station, Honoring her 20 years of Selfless Service to This Great Community.” The sign is displayed prominently on the north side of the building.

Janet was a very active member of the Vermilion VFW Post 7576, the Vermilion Veterans Counsel, and Veterans Auxillary. For several years, Janet and Lowell managed the Veterans Bricks at the Veterans Park in the City of Vermilion.

Serving our Seniors was another passion for Janet. She started when the program was an idea in 1996. Janet started her role as a Trustee on the Board in 2006 and concluded her service in 2012. She was instrumental in helping SOS start the Vermilion Township Rural Lunch Group at the Vermilion VFW which ran for several years.

Janet is survived by her husband of over 70 years, Lowell. Children, Nancy Moyers (John), Lowell Knittle Jr. (Rena), Patti Nuhn (John), Wendy Kaufman (Leo). Grandchildren MacKenzie Kaufman and Max Kaufman (Natalie). Great-Grandson Varric Knittle. Angela Mullins and Faith Knittle, brother, Chuck Keller, sisters, Joan Calamia and Marilyn Oliver and several nieces, nephews and very dear friends.

She was preceded in death by grandsons, Jacob Daniel Knittle and Austin Tyler Knittle, brothers, Bob Keller, Tom Keller, John Rhoades and Gary Rhoades and sister Diane Reer and her parents Marie Rhoades (Wolcott) and Clarence "Dusty" Rhoades and her father, Tom Keller.

The family would like to thank the following people for their kindness and unwavering support Tish, Emsley, Al and Carra.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Mel Sayler officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to: Serving Our Seniors Inc 310 East Boalt Street #A Sandusky, OH 44870 or Vermilion Township Fire Department 1907 State Street Vermilion, OH 44089.

Online condolences may be shared at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.