Rev. Edward J. Knott, age 97, passed away Friday night, November 29, 2019 due to complications from a fall. He was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet, infant son Fred, and granddaughter Sandy Lautenbach. Surviving are his children Kathy (John) De Leeuw, Edward (Marcia) Knott, and Fred (Deb) Knott, his 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Edward Knott married Harriet Doezema in 1946, and he was ordained in the Protestant Reformed Churches of America in 1947.
The couple lived in various locations during his three years as a home missionary. In 1950, he accepted a call to the Kalamazoo PRC, which he served for nine years. He ministered to the Second PRC in Grand Rapids from 1959-1961. He then accepted a call to Beverly CRC, where he served ten years, from 1961-1971. He next spent seven years at West Leonard CRC in Grand Rapids before serving five years at Calvin CRC in Rock Valley, IA. The Knotts returned to Michigan in 1983, when he accepted a call to Forest Grove CRC.
He initially retired in January 1988, but continued to serve the Forest Grove congregation as counselor and one Sunday per month pulpit supply. Rev. Knott continued to lead Wednesday Womens Bible Study at his church until his fall. He considered the highlights of his ministerial career to be the meeting at which Mid-America Reformed Seminary was formed (April 22, 1981), the meeting at which the United Reformed Churches came into being (Lynwood Independent Reformed Church in November, 1995), and the first synod of the URCNA (also at Lynwood in October of 1996).
Rev. Knott viewed his largest reward as “a good conscience that the work accomplished was done to God’s glory and the welfare of the church.” Other rewards of his work included times of peace and harmony within a congregation, when good relationships among the members nourished the ministry.
He enjoyed witnessing young people profess their faith, and was touched when members expressed appreciation for the proclamation of the Word.
He found personal satisfaction in doing what he was called to do and rejoiced to see evidences of God’s blessing.
Memorial contributions can be made to Mid-America Reformed Seminary, 229 Seminary Drive, Dyer IN 46311.
To listen to a Rev. Knott sermon titled “Hard to Be Saved” from March, 2003, go to: www.covenant-urc.org/resources
