Barbara Ann Knuth, age 86 of Paris, passed away Sunday November 3, 2024. She was born July 10, 1938 in Big Rapids, the daughter of Clarence and Erma (Syler) Wachter.  Barb married Charles Knuth and together they raised five children in Paris, Michigan. Barb was a woman of many talents with hands that were always busy. In 1971 she began a 35-year career driving school bus and managing the bus garage for the Big Rapids Public School System. She owned the Paris Craft Shop and did framing. Barb was known for the many beautiful quilts she created for family, friends and especially the Valor quilts she made for veterans. She volunteered for 4-H and Girl Scouts where she taught sewing skills to many. Barb was a great cook known for her big cinnamon rolls and delicious pies that were served at the Paris Dippy Quick where she helped out her daughter Mary. She grew a bountiful garden, canning the produce for her family. Barb was a fun grandma, and delighted in spending time with her beloved grandchildren. 

Barb enjoyed riding motorcycles and snowmobiles with her husband Charlie. She traveled throughout the United States and to Japan where her daughter Pamela lived at the time. She was a devout Catholic her entire life. She was a member of the St. Mary – St. Paul Parish Community in Big Rapids and more recently St. Philip Neri – St. Anne in Reed City. 

She will be missed by her cherished family including her husband of 68 years, Charles Knuth; children, Pamela Murray of Nashville, TN, Charlotte (Larry Dunkel) Patrick of Big Rapids, Michael (Mary Kay) Knuth of Paris, Mary Knuth of Paris, Nikki (Larry) Jorgensen of Big Rapids; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; a brother-in-law, Edwin (Terry) Knuth of Austin, TX; several nieces, nephews, and special friends, MaryBeth and Tony Linn.  Barb is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Clarence Jr. “Bud” (Norma) Wachter and Ronald Wachter and parents-in-law, Rudolph and Vera Knuth.

A Mass of the Resurrection took place 12:00 p.m. (noon) Thursday, November 7, 2024 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Reed City. The family greeted friends on Wednesday November 6th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids and one hour prior to Mass on Thursday at the Church. Memorial contributions in Barb’s name may be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Gathering Thunder Foundation or the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center.

Share a memory or condolence with the family at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids.