David E. “Dave” Knighton, 81, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on Sun., July 18, 2021 at Vitas Healthcare Hospice in Lecanto, FL. A native of Miami, FL, he was born Oct. 17, 1939 to Ed and Bernice (Bartavis) Knighton, one of two children. Mr. Knighton served his country honorably and proudly in the United States Navy from 1961-1965 as an electrician’s mate and served aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fred T. Berry (DD858) during the Cuban Missile Crisis. David had a long career for Bell Telephone/BellSouth/AT&T both in Miami and Citrus County, FL, and served as a lineman and cable repair technician. He moved to Sugarmill Woods in Homosassa in 1978 from Hialeah, FL. Dave was an avid outdoorsman and loved everything about being on the water, including fishing and diving for lobsters, and he also enjoyed the game of golf. Mr. Knighton attended St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church in Homosassa with his beloved wife of 57 years, Joanne P. Knighton of Homosassa, who survives him. In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by a grandson, Joseph Schmitt. In addition to his wife Joanne, he is survived by his children David Knighton (wife Schannen), Homosassa, FL and Paula Schmitt (fiancé Joseph Gufford), Jacksonville, FL; sister Claudia Hutchison, Sevierville, TN; grandchildren Andrew and Kendall Knighton; Tony Schmitt (wife Megan), Nick Schmitt (wife Aishwarya), and Phillip and Anna Schmitt, along with great grandchildren Ben and Theo Schmitt. Friends will be received on Mon., July 26, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, where a Catholic Prayer Service will commence at 11:00 AM, with Fr. Glenn Diaz from St. Thomas The Apostle officiating. Military honors will follow at Fountains Memorial Park, Homosassa at 11:45 AM with the United States Navy and American Legion Post #155 rendering honors. www.wilderfuneral.com
