PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
HONORING A LEGACY … From left: Mary Ann Peters, Habitat for Humanity of Williams County executive director, Melissa Harris, daughter of the late Duane Knisely, and Michael Cox, board member, stands beside a wall stud honoring the member of Knisely who was active in Habitat for Humanity of Williams County building projects.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Duane Knisely was a highly engaged volunteer in helping to build homes for Habitat for Humanity of Williams County.
Knisely, who had passed away on November 5, 2024, was a well-known vocational agricultural teacher in Liberty Center, Wauseon, and Stryker school districts.
Getting involved was something that he and his family have cherished over the years, and this year, in memory of a true Christian leader, this year’s house build is dedicated to honoring his legacy.
“My dad just had a heart for service,” said his daughter Melissa Harris. “He loved helping people, he loved serving, he loved showing Jesus to others. And this is one of his venues, and one of his avenues of showing Jesus to others and to families and to others in service realm.”
In loving memory of him, and through Habitat for Humanity of Williams County, this year’s house building project is located at 404 Gray Street in Stryker.
“We have worked with the Knisely family to honor Duane and dedicate the 2025 build in honor of his legacy,” said Mary Ann Peters, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Williams County. “He was involved in all aspects of our ministry with a special knack for engaging in the community.”
Peters noted Knisley’s deep religious roots with his involvement since 2016 and eventually transitioned into his role on the Board of Directors in 2018. “In all that he did, he was certain to direct all glory to God,” said Peters.
The 2025 project has significant meaning which is displayed by using his signature phrase (in his handwriting) on the back of this year’s shirts and on many wall studs throughout the house, “To God Be the Glory,” with his own signature on one of the wall studs.
It’s the only housing project being built this year, marking the 38th house that Habitat for Humanity of Williams County has built since 1991.
The significance of this year’s housing ministry, according to Peters, is very important. “One of the reasons that this year’s build is so incredibly special, is definitely because of Duane (Knisely),” pointed out Peters.
“So, we are completely honored to be able to honor his memory and all of the work and the legacy that he’s done. In fact, when we reached out to his family, to make sure that it was okay to take this route and do something very public.”
His involvement in Habitat for Humanity in Williams County has a deeper meaning. “When he (Knisely) was approached by Mary Ann (Peters) at a men’s group, I understand his hand went straight up for volunteering for this,” said Harris.
“He did a lot of the footwork, the handwork, and a lot of the corralling of help and people. His heart was very much into Habitat for Humanity of Williams County.”
The influence that Knisely had, along with his strong work ethic with Habitat for Humanity of Williams County, has carried over into the volunteer efforts of numerous church groups, businesses, and others whose time and talents have been generous.
“The expression, ‘it takes a village to do this,’ and to be able to be on the worksite and see the groups coming in,” said Michael Cox, who is on the Habitat for Humanity of Williams County board and also serves in public relations.
“It’s a countywide project, and when it’s been our experience, when we ask people, (and they) say ‘sure,’ and ‘tell me when to be there.’ That’s one of the great experiences working for Habitat and the community like this.”
Habitat for Humanity of Williams County has been blessed by the many volunteers whose goal is to have the house completed by October.
The mission is “To put God’s love into action and bring people together to build hope, homes, and communities in Williams County.”
“There is a need for housing, especially for people who are just managing to get by,” commented Cox. “People who had difficulties with finances in the past have a chance to turn their lives around.”
Among those groups and businesses that are making a big difference are Lockport Mennonite Church of Stryker, which is doing the drywall; the summer youth program of the church has built and paid for a new shed.
TruFast (Altenoh, Brinck and Company) sent a crew and paid for the subfloor. Miller Brothers Construction and Bryan Knights of Columbus for material donation and providing crews to install siding.
Lake View Brethren Church sent a crew to frame the house, purchased 37 wall studs to honor Knisely and provided a meal.
First Lutheran Church of Stryker, youth sponsored and painted 21 wall studs and will landscape the home. Sauder Manufacturing of Stryker sent a paint crew to assist the homeowner where she is employed.
The Ali Held Herman Memorial Run sponsored wall studs and had them signed by participants. Tri-County Brick and Block donated all of the foundation block, and Dan Peters and Brad Miller are leading an all-volunteer crew to lay it.
Clancy Cabinets donated all the cabinets in honor of the memory of Duane Knisely, and the Plummer family installed the roof for the third consecutive year.
Peters added that Habitat for Humanity of Williams County conducts a wall stud campaign every year with over 200 wall studs reflecting their own donation and to also honor memories.
Knisely who had attended Lake View Church in Camden, Michigan was a highly involved member of the men’s group, ‘The Iron Men,’ and when they found out that Habitat for Humanity of Williams County was doing this on behalf of him, they sponsored 37 of the wall studs inscribed with their church name.
“Each year is a new challenge, each year is a new joy, meeting new people, meeting many of the same people that have been involved on projects from various churches, organizations, and businesses who come and volunteer their time and expertise,” said Cox. “This is a wonderful experience.”
Knisely and his late wife, Ana Lee, along with their three sons and daughter, made it a Sunday evening tradition to take a ride and see every house that Habitat for Humanity of Williams County had already built.
“My parents would take drives every Sunday night and look at all the builds going on and get ice cream,” said Harris.
“So, after my mom had passed, my husband (Stan) and myself would get in the car and go have ice cream in memory of my mom.”
“We drive around and look at the current builds going on, see what the progress was, even took us inside. We got to enjoy the builds along with my dad.”