Matthew W. Knotts

Matthew W. Knotts, 89, of Tallmadge passed away on February 20, 2024. He was born on March 6, 1934, in Minnora, West Virginia the son of late Harley and Thelma Westfall Knotts. His smile would light up a room and embrace your heart. A Jesus follower with an incredible ability to unconditionally love.
Matt moved to Akron, with his parents and siblings at the age of eight and graduated from Springfield High School. He worked throughout high school drilling water wells, plowing gardens, delivering newspapers, muck farming, and mowing lawns. His work ethic began during his early years in W.Va. working the family farm and caring for his beloved Jersey milking cow, Bessy.
He met the love of his life, Vera, while dancing the jitterbug in Akron and married soon after. He was drafted into the Korean War during peace time. After three years of service he returned to Akron to raise his family.

Matt retired in 1996 from Goodyear with 44-years of service as a production auditor. He started his career at Goodyear building tires, growing into various supervisory roles, safety, and quality control. A member of the Goodyear Supervisional Top Ten Club. He won the Spirit Award for his community involvement including Junior Achievement and Boy Scout Master.
Early hobbies included fishing and hunting with his father, brother, son, and nephews. His interest shifted to golf and travel. The enjoyment of time with his family members never ended. Whether it was his father stealing all the fishing worms and storing them in his pant pocket and fishing for golf balls with his brother and brothers-in-law from the golf course ponds.

Matt was a 32nd degree Mason, which focused on the eternal gift of God - LOVE.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Edgar and Marshall Knotts, sisters Phyllis Hale and Dorothy Toth; sister-in-law Nancy Knotts; brothers-in-law Robert Shelton, Morris Bucan, James Dorsey, Robert Dillon, Ronnie Blake, and sister-in-law Cricket Bucan. He was survived by wife Vera Shelton Knotts of 67 years, and children; Greg (Sarah) Knotts and Kim Knotts; grandchildren Kaitlin, Meghan and Melina Knotts; siblings, Mary Gunderson, Garnette Dorsey and Judy Dillon; sisters-in-law Norma Shelton, Norma Blake, Corky Cook and numerous nieces and nephews.

As Dad would say --- God Love ya!

Funeral service will be held at 1pm on Monday, February 26, 2024, at Newcomer Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:30 until the time of service also on Monday in the funeral home. Interment will be at Hillside Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Matt's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Matthew's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.