Emma Jean Knasel
COLUMBUS, OH - Emma Jean (Biggs) Knasel passed away at her home on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 holding her daughter’s hand. She was born on April 15th, 1933 in Portsmouth, Ohio to the late Charles and Lillian (Jones) Biggs. She is survived by her son Ted (Sally) Knasel, daughter Treva Knasel, cherished granddaughter Rita Knasel, sister Phyllis Best along with nephews Jeff, Gary, and Scott Best. And her four-legged partner in crime, Lilly Luv Bug. Although Lilly loved to give kisses, Grandma didn’t like her dog kisses so much. She was a lifelong member of the Eastern Star wearing her ring daily. Otherwise, as mom would say, she felt naked without it.
Emma Jean spent her youth traveling back and forth from Portsmouth and Columbus with her parents and sister while her Daddy sought work in Columbus at Curtis-wright where he worked on airplanes. The family finally settled in Columbus in a home on Ward Road where many heartfelt memories were made and stories were told. She enjoyed taking rides and being the tour guide sharing places and memories of her life experiences. She definitely enjoyed traveling and seeing the sites, especially out West where she took her first big road trip to Yellowstone National Park with her Aunt Opal and Uncle Homer. She didn’t like to miss much, especially a good bargain! She always thought of others during her bargain shopping sprees. Her coworkers at the Department of Taxation, where she retired after 33 years, were always excited to see what Jean had in her bags when she came to work. She inherently passed her shopping tips along to her daughter and granddaughter. Oh my! Her granddaughter was the apple of her eye and she sure enjoyed showing it. She always made an effort to attend all her events as she did with her son and daughter. She loved her children and would do anything to provide for them, come hell or high water. That’s just the kind of mom she was. She had a knack of staying connected with people, especially family and friends. She made many road trips back home to Portsmouth where she spent nights up sharing stories of years gone by with cousin Dale and family. And don’t forget talks with cousin Pam trying to figure out the family genealogy. She loved history, especially WWII. She lived to tell the tale of the historic 1937 Ohio River flood in Portsmouth. And Oh! Let’s not forget the delicious coneys in downtown Portsmouth, where she made time to stop before making the trip back to Columbus. Just to be clear, she was from West Portsmouth where her childhood home sat atop the hill overlooking the Ohio and Scioto Rivers. What a site that’s forever in her heart. And Oh, the memories! So many stories, so little time. She will now have time to reminisce of her life well done with her family and friends from here to eternity. Love you bushels and pecks…and hugs around the neck. Fly high my miracle Mom! It’s skyline time, in more ways than one.
Friends will be received Thursday, May 25th from 5-7pm at Advantage by Schoedinger North, 5554 Karl Road where her Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 26th at 10am. Interment to follow at Mifflin Township Cemetery in Gahanna. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send messages of support to her family.