EDNA — Vernon L. McKnight, 93, of Edna died at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, at the home of his daughter at rural Welch, Okla. His death was unexpected.

He was born Dec. 2, 1918, near Edna to Murch and Hilma (Seger) McKnight. He grew up there and attended school and was a 1936 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. He lived in California and worked for the former Douglas Aviation Co. there until entering the United States Army in 1943, where he served in the Philippines. After serving his country, he returned to Kansas and went to work for the Boeing Aircraft Co. in Wichita until 1970 when he returned to Edna and worked for Mac Tool Co. and then Funk Manufacturing in Coffeyville. He retired in 1983. He enjoyed fishing as well as fixing and repairing things. He was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

He married Mary B. Busch on April 14, 1949. She preceded him in death in 1990.

Survivors include a son, Rex McKnight and his wife, Sherryl, of Wichita; three daughters, Deborah Miles and her husband, Scott, of Valley Center, Faith Rosson and her husband, Dewayne, of rural Welch, Okla., and Norma Roberts and her husband, Robin, of rural Coffeyville; a daughter-in-law, Anna McKnight of Mulvane; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers; a sister; and a son, Wayne, who died in 2010.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont. Burial will be in Edna Elm Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Edna Volunteer Fire Department or to the Ground Angels in Houston. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, 67330.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.