Edwardsville, IL- Marti (Wilcox) Knecht, 72, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at her daughter''s home with her children by her side.

Marti was born on August 25, 1945 in St. Louis, MO, to Raymond and Gladys (Schulte) Asmus. Her parents preceded her in death. She married Robert "Bob" Wilcox in 1962; they later divorced. He survives and resides in Mascoutah, IL. On June 21, 1994, she married Eldon Knecht. He preceded her in death on January 6th, 2009.

Marti is survived by her two children, Lisa (Don) Bohannon of Godfrey, IL and Dave (Theresa Janssen) Wilcox of Farmington, MN; step-children, Katie (Bruce) Ohrmund of Lorton, VA, Kelly Knecht of Seattle, WA, and Molly (Ted) Haley of Scottsdale, AZ, Greg Knecht of Sacramento, CA, George (Colleen) Knecht of Scottsdale, AZ, and Will and Holly Knecht of Glen Carbon, IL; four grandchildren, Andy (Jessie) Bohannon, Megan (Ashley Dodson) Bohannon, Katie (Jeremy) Dunnagan, and Emma Bohannon; three great-grandchildren, Ellie and Nolan Bohannon and Beau Dunnagan and 9 step-grandchildren. Mom was an only child, but she had many brother and sisters in her cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. All of whom she loved dearly.

In the early 70''s, the family moved to Mascoutah where Marti helped her husband Bob run the local Tom Boy Store. After that, she worked as the secretary to the Dean of Students at Mascoutah Community High School for many years. Many a student passed through her doorway on their way to see the Dean. Some laughed, some cried, some got advice, some were taught a lesson or given a gentle nudge, but all were treated equally with care and concern. For a time, mom also wrote a lifestyle column in the County Journals, belonged to the Tuesday Women''s Club, Coached Chearleading at MCHS and helped paint the famed Bi-Centennial Mural in Mascoutah. She loved her time in Mascoutah and made many lifelong friends there. Mom moved to Edwardsville and worked as a secretary for the Illinois Education Association and served as the President of the Secretaries Union before her retirement in 2014.

Marti loved a good chat about anything. Decorating, politics, the universe, you name it. She was a great conversationalist and an even better listener. Everyone was welcome and our front door was always open. Mom was a strong Democrat and a Union supporter. She always pulled for the underdog or the little guy. She loved to garden and work in her yard. She loved to cook, craft, paint, entertaining guest, cheering on the Rams and watching NASCAR and INDY races. Above all else, she loved her family and cherished the time that she was able to spend with them. She was Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life. She touched countless lives with her sincerity and kindness towards others. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She left us too soon.

The family asks that memorial donations, should you choose, be made to the Alzheimer''s Association, BJC Hospice, or the Humane Society of Madison County.

VISITATION: A visitation for Marti will be held on Friday, September 29, 2017 from 4:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M. at Sunset Hill Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, IL, 62234.

FUNERAL: A funeral will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 600 Water St, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Pastor John Shank will officiate. Cremation rites have been accorded following services. Private inurment will be held at a later date at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Glen Carbon, IL.

Additional condolences may also be sent to the family through this online guestbook.