Marynelle D. Kness, 86, of Ellwood City, passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021, at UPMC Jameson Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Mildred (Johnson) Dougherty and was born in McKeesport PA, on May 29,1935.
She is survived by the love of her life, of 64 years, William D. Kness, one daughter; April K. Postupac and her husband Richard of New Brighton, grandchildren; Lucas Postupac of New Brighton, Faith Jacobs and her husband Scott of New Brighton, Janis Aulds and her husband Tyler of North Carolina, great-grandchildren; Atlas Jacobs, Tyde Aulds, Shiloh Aulds, and Augustine Aulds.
She was preceded in death by her sister; Patricia Seaburn and one niece; Trina Darcee Weingart.
Mrs. Kness was a graduate of Ellwood City’s Lincoln High School, Class of 1953 and Westminster College, Class of 1957, and graduated Cum Laude where she majored in elementary and early childhood education. She completed her Permanent State Teaching Credentials in graduate courses at Westminister College.
She began her 60-year teaching career in Ellwood City Area School District’s Ewing Park Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher. She continued her career in primary grades at Big Beaver Falls Area School District elementary schools at Fifth Avenue, 38th Street, South Elementary, and Koppel, where she served as Head Teacher.
A lifelong member of PTA, NEA, PSEA, and Big Beaver Falls Education Associations. Mrs. Kness served on the Big Beaver Falls Area School’s District-wide Steering Committee, as well as the District’s Writing Committee which was coordinated through the University of Pittsburgh.
Marynelle loved music. In all her classrooms, she was never without a piano to use daily to teach her children reading, math, learning games, and children’s literature. Outside of school for 30+ years, she sang in the Boar’s Head Festival of Christ Presbyterian Church and was a member of Ellwood City’s First United Methodist Church Choir.
A life-long member of EC First United Methodist, Marynelle taught Sunday School and Daily Vacation Bible School, in addition to filling numerous leadership roles. She served as co-chair, with her husband, of Ecumenical and Worship Committees, Council on Ministries, and Church Council.
Marynelle loved her grandchildren, and she especially loved shopping with them and taking them on weekends to Seaworld, the Science Center, the Museum, or zoos in Pittsburgh, Erie, or Cleveland.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions to be made in Marynelle’s name to the First United Methodist Church of Ellwood City.
The family would also like to thank UPMC Hospitals at Butler, Mercy, New Castle and Wexford, as well as nursing homes in Chippewa, Encompass, Rochester Villa, and Quality Life Services for their excellent medical, nursing, and personal care that Marynelle received over the past two years. The family would like to thank Eileen McKelvey of Comfort of Home Senior Care, for the past year.
The family will receive friends from 4:00pm-6:00pm, on Monday, November 29, 2021, at Turner Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church of Ellwood City, with Reverend Angelique Bradford and Reverend Jay Sterling, officiating.
The family is requesting that those who will be attending calling hours or the funeral service, please wear a mask or face covering.
Interment will be in Slippery Rock Presbyterian Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to the TURNER FUNERAL HOME located at 500 6th Street in Ellwood City.
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