Katheryn Knight Hargan

Katheryn Louise Knight Hargan, 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her sons, Mark Curtis Hargan and Keith Knight Hargan, in Marion, Illinois, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.  Katheryn was born in Rosiclare, IL November 10, 1920 the tenth of eleven children of E.A. Knight and Jennie Wood Knight.  Education was extremely important to her, leaving for school at an early age and attending college at Evansville Indiana, where she met her husband, Jack Leo Hargan.  Later in life she received a BA from the University of California--Riverside as well as her CA Real Estate License.  Katheryn worked hard as a lab technician during WWII while her husband was away at war to save money to help their family upon his return.  She continued this work during his medical school and residency.  Her eldest son, Mark, was born in Indianapolis, and the family then moved to New Mexico where Kirk (deceased) and Keith were born.  The family then moved to Houston, TX, where they developed a close friendship with the Coulson family, and then on to El Paso, TX, before settling in Palm Springs, CA.   In Palm Springs Katheryn was active in the social scene attending many Balls and Galas, a hostess at the Bob Hope Desert Golf Classic, and President of the Palm Springs chapter of WAIF International.  Katheryn was a devoted Episcopalian.  Her sons attended Episcopal Schools in Houston and El Paso and she served as member and chair of numerous committees at the local and state levels in both California and Illinois.  In 1992 Katheryn returned to Southern Illinois to be close to her remaining siblings: Wayne Elwood Knight, Eva Knight Addis, and Gleness Knight Andrew, as her family was extremely important to her.  After that Katheryn worked diligently to create a detailed genealogy of the Knight and Wood Family, which is bound and can be found in the Rosiclare, IL, Library.  Katheryn was an active woman, strong in conviction, committed to family and a great friend to all that knew her.  Katheryn was always ready to “go” and would take off in a moment’s notice with her nephew Everett or her friends Madolyn, Lucille and Dolores for a road trip.  She always said, “Just give me 20 minutes, my lipstick and car keys.” She is survived by sons Mark Curtis Hargan (Candice) and Keith Knight Hargan (Brenda), grandsons Sean Michael Hargan and Thomas Cody Hargan, siblings Edmund "Eddie" Knight and Sue Knight Bryan, and nine nieces/nephews: Lois Knight Mitchell, MaryAnn Knight Edwards, Everett D. Knight, Carole Knight Addis, Susie Knight, David Knight, Steven Andrew, John Andrew, and Glen Andrew.  She was a dear friend to Madolyn Copeland, David Kalhok, and Mitzi Jobes, and devoted great aunt to her namesake Kathryn Mitchell Pierce and adoring GG Aunt Katheryn to Jennifer and Courtney.  Katheryn is preceded in death by her son Kirk Leo Hargan, grandson Peter James Hargan, and 11 siblings: Sleta Knight, Everett Dayton Knight (Susie), Arley Brooks Knight, Wayne Elwood Knight (Galena), Hazel Knight Gaines (Earl), Morris Edmund Knight (Minnie), Roger Knight, Malta Geneva Knight, Eva Knight Addis (Wallace), Gleness Knight Andrew (Bennett), Edna Ann Knight. She was well loved and will be greatly missed.  Her light is strong and will always shine on us. Upon her request, Katheryn was cremated.  A memorial service will be held on April 11, 2015 at 11:30 am at the St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Thorn Street, Marion with The Very Reverend Kathryn Jeffrey officiating. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the St. James Episcopal Church of Marion. Envelopes will be available the day of the service at the church or by mail to Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois  62959.       Katheryn Louise Knight Hargan, 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her sons, Mark Curtis Hargan and Keith Knight Hargan, in Marion, Illinois, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.  Katheryn was born in Rosiclare, IL November 10, 1920 the tenth of eleven children of E.A. Knight and Jennie Wood Knight.  Education was extremely important to her, leaving for school at an early age and attending college at Evansville Indiana, where she met her husband, Jack Leo Hargan.  Later in life she received a BA from the University of California--Riverside as well as her CA Real Estate License.  Katheryn worked hard as a lab technician during WWII while her husband was away at war to save money to help their family upon his return.  She continued this work during his medical school and residency.  Her eldest son, Mark, was born in Indianapolis, and the family then moved to New Mexico where Kirk (deceased) and Keith were born.  The family then moved to Houston, TX, where they developed a close friendship with the Coulson family, and then on to El Paso, TX, before settling in Palm Springs, CA.   In Palm Springs Katheryn was active in the social scene attending many Balls and Galas, a hostess at the Bob Hope Desert Golf Classic, and President of the Palm Springs chapter of WAIF International.  Katheryn was a devoted Episcopalian.  Her sons attended Episcopal Schools in Houston and El Paso and she served as member and chair of numerous committees at the local and state levels in both California and Illinois.  In 1992 Katheryn returned to Southern Illinois to be close to her remaining siblings: Wayne Elwood Knight, Eva Knight Addis, and Gleness Knight Andrew, as her family was extremely important to her.  After that Katheryn worked diligently to create a detailed genealogy of the Knight and Wood Family, which is bound and can be found in the Rosiclare, IL, Library.  Katheryn was an active woman, strong in conviction, committed to family and a great friend to all that knew her.  Katheryn was always ready to “go” and would take off in a moment’s notice with her nephew Everett or her friends Madolyn, Lucille and Dolores for a road trip.  She always said, “Just give me 20 minutes, my lipstick and car keys.” She is survived by sons Mark Curtis Hargan (Candice) and Keith Knight Hargan (Brenda), grandsons Sean Michael Hargan and Thomas Cody Hargan, siblings Edmund "Eddie" Knight and Sue Knight Bryan, and nine nieces/nephews: Lois Knight Mitchell, MaryAnn Knight Edwards, Everett D. Knight, Carole Knight Addis, Susie Knight, David Knight, Steven Andrew, John Andrew, and Glen Andrew.  She was a dear friend to Madolyn Copeland, David Kalhok, and Mitzi Jobes, and devoted great aunt to her namesake Kathryn Mitchell Pierce and adoring GG Aunt Katheryn to Jennifer and Courtney.  Katheryn is preceded in death by her son Kirk Leo Hargan, grandson Peter James Hargan, and 11 siblings: Sleta Knight, Everett Dayton Knight (Susie), Arley Brooks Knight, Wayne Elwood Knight (Galena), Hazel Knight Gaines (Earl), Morris Edmund Knight (Minnie), Roger Knight, Malta Geneva Knight, Eva Knight Addis (Wallace), Gleness Knight Andrew (Bennett), Edna Ann Knight. She was well loved and will be greatly missed.  Her light is strong and will always shine on us. Upon her request, Katheryn was cremated.  A memorial service will be held on April 11, 2015.  In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice.