Carthage - Charles J. Knight, 75, of 35156 State Rt. 26, died Monday, July 11, 2016, in the emergency room of the Carthage Area Hospital after being stricken at his residence.

Chuck was born in Oneonta on April 4, 1941, the son of the late John Joseph and Marion Moody Knight. He was raised by his foster parents, Cliff and Dora Graves in Naumburg. He was a graduate of Beaver Falls High School and later served in the US Army for 3 years in the 1960's. He married the former Diane L. Plumadore on June 15, 1968 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Black River. Chuck worked as an artillery inspector for the New Jersey National Guard on Fort Drum for 32 years and retired in 1999. Together with his wife, the couple operated Di's Landscaping and Design in his retirement.

He was a member for 28 years of the BPOE Lodge # 1762 of Carthage where he served as an Exalted Ruler, Past Trustee, Past State V.P. and was an Elk of the Year.


Chuck is survived by his wife Diane L. of Carthage, two daughters and their husbands: Terry and Roger Fuller of Carthage and Dawn and Jeremy Withers of Christiansburg, VA, one son: Charles John Knight II of Christiansburg, VA, 6 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren.

Calling hours at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home will be on Thursday from 4-7pm. There will be an Elks memorial service at 6:30 pm with a funeral service to follow at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in St. James Cemetery on Friday, July 15th at 10:00am.