Edward K.
Knettler was horn in Philadelphia. PA and died at his
home in Elkton, MD. He is survived by Jean, his wife of
58 years, his son, Paul of Elkton, MD, Daughter, Marilyn
(Knettler) Canada of Lancaster, PA, son, Timothy of
Trophy Club, TX, and son, Christopher of Alpharetta, GA;
5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Rev. Knettler
was a long time missionary and pastor to the Chinese
people. He started his ministry in 1938 and went to
Szechwan China with his wife, Jean. In 1946. And then to
Taipei, Taiwan in 1953 where he founded the Wesley
Methodist Church which grew to a membership of 1600 with
a medical clinic youth center and daily kindergarten of
600 pupils. Rev. Knettler helped organize the Taiwan
Conference of the Methodist Church which has 20
churches. He served as trustee of Soochow University,
Wesley Girl's Middle School, the Gladys Aylward Orphan
Home, and the Taiwan Theological Seminary as well as was
the President of the Christian Leprosy Mission ministry
to 1600 leprosy patients. He was Director of Church
World Service Relief Distribution Center at Wesley
Church.
Rev. Knettler
also has had a ministry to the Chinese people in the
United States. He served as Director of Mission to
Chinese Seamen as pastor to the Chinese Gospel Church in
Philadelphia. PA as a board member of On Lok Corp.
Housing for Elderly in Chinatown and of the
Philadelphia. Chinatown Development Corp and as pastor
to the Wilmington Chinese Evangelical Church in
Hockessin. DE. He had most recently been Director of the
Christ Center Gospel Mission in Elkton. MD.
Rev. Knettler in
addition to his ministry to the Chinese people has
pastured several American churches. While still in
college, he was student pastor of the Evans burg
Methodist Church in Collegeville. PA. He then pastured
the Harriman Methodist Church in Bristol. PA. Where he
and Jean were married. He pastured the East Falls UMC in
Philadelphia., the Boehm's UMC in Lancaster Co., PA. And
Long Memorial UMC. Also in Lancaster to Co., PA.
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