Ernest Clarence Knotts

DOVER - Ernest Clarence Knotts, of Dover, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at Capital Nursing Home in Dover. Previous, he was a resident at Green Meadows Assisted Living in Dover. He was 82. He was born Oct. 1, 1926, near Kenton to the late Walter B. and Clara A. Knotts. Ernie was a hard working farmer all his life. He grew up on a dairy farm near Kenton, then in Smyrna. He helped his father on the farm. He was proud of the fact that during the busy times of farming, he would put in over a hundred hours working in one week. In the early 1950's, he worked for Irenee DuPont Jr. on his farm, Granogue in Centerville. In the 1960's, Ernie was a self employed farmer and did combining and crop spraying for local farmers. In one season, he sprayed over 10,000 acres of farm land. In recent years, he worked for several farms in the Dover area including: Calvin Myers Farm, Cartanza Grain and Edgewater Farms. He was one of the founding members of the Kenton Ruritan Club in Kenton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Hufnal Knotts in 1989; a grandson, Daniel Ernest Mozick in 1988; his sister, Mildred Brittingham; and his brothers, William Knotts, George Knotts and James Knotts. He is survived by his daughters, Shirley Dear and her husband Ronald of Dover, Linda Mozick and her husband John (Tony) of Leipsic, Darlene Klenoski and her husband Joe of Dover, and Carol Pleasanton of Dover; his son, Ronald Knotts of Leipsic; his brothers, Frank Knotts of Smyrna, and Ralph Knotts of Magnolia; his sister, Anna Strimel of Cheswold; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; several sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, March 30, at Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus Street, Dover, where friends may call two hours prior. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2306 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE 19805. Letters of condolences may be sent to www.delmarvaobits.com or traderfh@aol.com.