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Ruth Clarissa Jane (Flinchbaugh ) Knaper, 93 of Dallastown, passed away peacefully at Manor Care Rehab – Dallastown on Saturday, November 4.  She was the beloved and devoted wife of 73 years to Emerson Thomas Knaper.

Mrs. Knaper was born in Springvale on July 29, 1924 and was the daughter of the late Charles D. and Maggie (Leber) Flinchbaugh.

Ruth was a 1942 graduate of Red Lion High School. She briefly worked in the local cigar factory but for most of her adult life she was a partner in the family farm, working side by side with her husband and daughters. Ruth was a 70 year member of St. John's Blymire's United Church of Christ and was involved with the Women's Guild and Sunday School Class. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Farm Women Group #9 and also a local women's sewing club. She enjoyed ceramics and playing cards with family and friends and was known for her hospitality and delicious meals.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two daughters, Nina Knaper Grove and her husband Les of Dallastown, and Susan Dutrey and her husband George of Woodburn, Iowa; five grandchildren, Jamie and Travis Reid, Amy Boyer, Kelly Myers and George Dutrey, III. She is also survived by 14 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jodi Dutrey; brothers, Charles, Truman and Harold Flinchbaugh and her sister, Dorothy Sechrist.

A funeral service to honor Ruth's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 8 at St. John's Blymire's United Church of Christ, 1009 Blymire Rd., Dallastown, with the Rev. Lou Ann Jones officiating. A viewing will be held at the church on Wednesday and will begin at 1:00 PM until the start of the service. Interment will follow in St. John's Blymire's Cemetery.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Manor Care – Dallastown Rehab and caregiver, Sue Heidler.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Ruth's name be made to St. John's Blymire's United Church of Christ.

The Austin H. Eberly Funeral Home, Inc., Dallastown is in charge of arrangements.