Wanda Mae Knox

1930-2025

Wanda Mae (Mast) Knox, age 94, went peacefully to her heavenly home on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, while sitting in the comfort of her living room at Otterbein of Lebanon.

She was born August 27, 1930 to Abraham and Esther Mast in Walnut Creek, Ohio. On November 17, 1951 she married a high school friend James Edward Knox (Jim). They shared 68 wonderful years together before Jim’s passing in October of 2019.

Wanda graduated from Sugarcreek High School where she enjoyed music and cheering for school teams. Later she and her sisters enjoyed playing fastpitch softball together. She went to Bluffton College when she was 40 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education. She went on to teach Phys Ed in Bluffton Schools and later spoke at AI Union Church as a lay-pastor. Throughout her life she loved to play golf, write poems, sing, dance, and talk about her faith wherever and whenever the opportunity arose whether exercising and leading Silver Sneakers or teaching Sunday School to children or adults. After retirement, she and Jim were known as “snowbirds” and spent winters in Florida golfing. She also loved to see her kids and grandkids and go to their activities whenever she could. In 2020, she moved to Otterbein Senior Living of Lebanon and was involved in everything under the sun including golfing last fall at age 94 and still hitting them straight.

Wanda came from a large extended family of Masts and was the matriarch of a loving family. She is survived by her older brother Kenny Mast, her older sister Bertie Showers, and her younger brother Abe (Fran) Mast; her 4 children, Deborah Simon, Ron (Diane) Knox, Beth (Jim) Holman, Jamie (Doug) Beachy; 11 grandchildren (plus spouses) and 23 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim, her parents, Abe and Esther, and her sister Marilyn Mattevi.

Services will be held at Otterbein Senior Living of Lebanon in the Chapel on Saturday, April 12, 2025, with Visitation at 10:00AM, Service at 11:00AM with Nathan Spencer and Ron Knox officiating. A graveside burial to follow at Otterbein cemetery. Wanda’s life and legacy will be remembered by those she loved, served, and played games with and for her faith in Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior.

Otterbein Senior Living/ Lebanon

533 N State Route 741

Lebanon, OH 45036

Saturday, April 12, 2025

In a separate celebration of life, there will be a Memorial Service at Crossroads Evangelical Church in Wauseon Ohio on May 10, 2025 at 11AM with meal to follow.

Memorial donations can be sent to Otterbein Lebanon at the above address or through their website and designated to “Activities” or the “Benevolent Fund.”

www.otterbein/Lebanon.org