Edwin Gene Knapp 83, of Penfield Township passed away at home on Saturday February 17, 2018 following a long illness. He was born January 27, 1935 in Berea. Ed served in the U.S. Army. He worked for Elyria Telephone Company as a lineman, and retired after forty years of service. He loved sports; playing softball, and was instrumental in founding the ballpark in Penfield Twp. Ed was an umpire for thirty years, and was inducted into Keystone and Strongsville Sports Halls of Fame. Survivors include his wife of fifty four years; Patricia "Joanne" (nee: Moore), two sons; Scott (Ronald) of Penfield Twp., Jeff (Patricia) of Denver, CO. Additional survivors include four grandchildren; Savannah, Madison, Cheyenne, Zane, two sisters; Charlotte Klinect of Lawrenceville, GA., Lynn Neuhoff (Joe) of Lorain, five brothers; Ernie (Nancy) , Carl (Caroline) , Jim (Lida) all of Wellington, Russ (Carol) of Lucky, OH., John (Jim) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Wednesday February 21, 2018 at The Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Services 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57) Elyria where funeral services will be at 6:00 PM immediately following visitation. V.F.W. Post# 1079 will provide full military honors at the funeral home. Burial will be private at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon. the family suggests memorial contributions in Ed's memory be sent to Southern Lorain County Ambulance Services 179 E. Herrick Ave. Wellington, OH 44090. Online condolences to the family can be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com