VERMILION TWP — Janet Knittle, a longtime Vermilion Township resident, former township trustee, realtor and community volunteer whose name is now tied to one of the township’s most important public safety facilities, died Saturday, May 23, at her home. She was 87.
Knittle’s life stretched across family, business, public service and civic involvement, but in Vermilion Township, she may be best remembered for helping shape the community she called home for most of her life.
Her family shared in her obituary that Knittle was born June 17, 1938, in Neptune City, New Jersey, and came from a family of nine children. She married Lowell Knittle in 1955 and went on to spend most of her life in Vermilion Township.
Her interest in public service reportedly grew after she became involved in a friend’s campaign for sheriff and later participated in the Northwest Ohio League of Women Voters. That experience eventually led her to run for Vermilion Township trustee.
A First for Vermilion Township
Knittle won the seat and began serving in January 1990, becoming the first woman elected to the position of Vermilion Township trustee. She went on to serve for two decades.
“Janet Knittle dared to do great things, and Vermilion Township has changed for the better because of her dedication,” said Kenneth M. Baughman, chairman of the Vermilion Township Board of Trustees. “Trustee Knittle was the first woman elected to the position of Vermilion Township trustee and served with honor and distinction for two decades, beginning in 1990.”
Helping Build the Township’s Fire Service
During her time in office, Knittle was involved in one of the township’s most lasting property decisions. In 2005, she was instrumental in the township’s acquisition of the property at 1907 State Road, now home to the township hall complex and the Vermilion Township Fire Department.
Baughman said Knittle’s work helped shape both the township hall complex and the fire department residents know today.
“Trustee Knittle was instrumental in both the acquisition of the Township Hall Complex and the establishment of the Vermilion Township Fire Department as we know it today,” Baughman said.
In 2024, on Knittle’s birthday, the fire station was dedicated in her honor as “The Janet Knittle Vermilion Township Fire Station,” recognizing her 20 years of service to the community.
Vermilion Township Fire Chief Frank Triana said Knittle’s passing was difficult news for the department and reflected on her role in shaping the township and its fire service.
“It’s tough to express and hold our grief in check when Vermilion Township Fire Department was contacted with the news of Janet’s passing. Janet was so integral to shaping Vermilion Township for 20 years, her qualities vast and wide.
Meeting Janet in June of 2006 really just caught my attention. Soft spoken, yet clear in her goals to have the township’s own fire department. Her style for myself was that of confidence, calm steady hand. Very easy to communicate with and willing to hear ideas, solutions and get to work. Supportive of the tasks at hand. Which I saw in everything she was involved with. Great balance of family, friends and work.
So with her many tasks and accomplishments, Janet and Lowell instilled these wonderful traits and passed them on to their children. All who in various ways have supported our efforts in Vermilion Township, the Fire Department and community. In Janet’s case I saw an unwavering sense of community over profit, if you will, and profit will follow. Vermilion Township is very abundant due in part to Janet’s hard work, grit and determination. I don’t believe that no was in her vocabulary. She has led the way.
As for myself, Janet will be truly missed and I celebrate that I had a great opportunity to know a great mentor and a better friend,” Triana said.
A Life of Local Service
Before and during her time in public office, Knittle was also well known through her work in real estate. She became a licensed realtor in 1974 and later passed her broker and appraisal tests in 1981. Her obituary notes she worked as a realtor for 33 years and became especially knowledgeable about Vermilion Township property.
Local newspaper archives show Knittle advertising as a realtor in the 1970s, including listings with Firelands Real Estate. Her obituary notes that she sold property to multiple generations of the same families, a reflection of both her longevity in the field and her deep local connections.
Knittle was also active with veterans organizations. She was involved with Vermilion VFW Post 7576, the Vermilion Veterans Council and the Veterans Auxiliary. For several years, she and Lowell also managed the veterans brick project at East Exchange Park, where Vermilion’s veterans memorial area includes service flags, memorial bricks and a Gold Star memorial.
Baughman said Knittle’s service extended well beyond township government.
“Her commitment to her community was equally matched by her commitment to veterans through her tireless support of various area veterans groups and causes we all hold dear,” Baughman said. “Her example of selfless public service serves as a testament to what can be achieved when we dare to go where no one has gone before and strive to do what others may say cannot be done.”
Serving Our Seniors was another major part of her community involvement. Her obituary notes that Knittle became involved with the organization when it was still an idea in 1996. She later served on the board from 2006 to 2012 and helped start the Vermilion Township Rural Lunch Group at the Vermilion VFW, which operated for several years.
For Vermilion Township, Knittle’s legacy is visible not only in records and memories, but on the side of the township fire station that now bears her name.