Orpha Knape

Orpha Knape, 97, of Napoleon, Ohio passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026. She was born in Freedom Township, Ohio on February 19, 1929, to the late Carl and Lorena (Precht) Homan. Orpha was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and worked as a bookkeeper for Heller-Aller until retirement. She enjoyed reading, playing cards and doing needlework. Orpha was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following the Ohio State Buckeyes. Orpha’s number one priority was always her children, grandchildren and greats. She loved to go to all their sporting events and cheer them on when she was able to. When she couldn’t anymore, she was always checking on them and enjoying the videos and photos we shared with her. She loved watching church on her computer, and loved staying in contact with her friends and family on THE facebook (her name of it) Orpha was the kindest soul ever and had such an impact on each of our lives. She will be forever missed. Orpha is survived by her children, Katherine (Ken) Wright, David (Maggie) Thomas, and Mary (Dick) Cobb; grandchildren, Kenny (Karen) Wright, Rachel (Matthew) Langdon, Adam (Trish) Horstman, Aimee Nguyen, Uriah (Ashley) Diemer, Ashleigh Wright, Jodey (Janeen) Thomas, Brooke (Brandon Mendoza) Thomas, Chelsey (Shawn) Masters, Gabriel (Serena) Buenger, Justin (Amy) Cobb, Alex (Jessica) Cobb; great grandchildren, Courtney, Taylor, Shainah, Maizie, Levi, Hailey, Abbi, Dylan, Brooklyn, Kyle, Kaitlin, Leah, Catherine, Luke, Henry, Skyleigh, Kamdyn, Landry, Maxton, Nashton, Rylee, Cade, Cruz, Mallory, Evelyn, Alexis, Charli Kay, Addi, and Trent; great great grandchildren, Carson, Eli, Bentley, Cole, Vacari, Collins, Remi, Camdon, Carson, Maleia, and Thorin; stepchildren, Kerry (Rose) Knape and family, and Susie Knape and family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Lloyd Thomas; second husband, Ned Knape; and brother, Don Homan. Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon, On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 10:30 AM with an hour of visitation prior to services. Services will be livestreamed from the church website. Memorial contributions may be made to the Filling home of Mercy or St. Paul Lutheran Church. Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com.

Orpha Knape

February 19, 1929 - September 7, 2026