Erin Margaret Knoepfel

Erin Margaret (Ryan) Knoepfel, 54, of Clarks Summit, died on Thursday at home surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.  She was the wife of William G. Knoepfel Jr. to whom she was married for 30 years.

Born October 22, 1967 in Scranton, Erin was the daughter of Joseph W. and Marie A. (Bochinski) Ryan. She graduated from Scranton Prep and earned aBachelor of Science degree from East Stroudsburg University in Speech Therapy and a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University.  Erin worked as a Speech Language Pathologist and Dysphagia Supervisor for both Allied and John HeinzInstitute of Rehab Medicine. She was the Vice President of Clinical Services for Genesis Rehab Services and Respiratory Health Services and was their Director of Clinical Practice for Speech Language Pathology. Most recently she worked as the Vice President of Strategic Integration for Mansbach Health Tools Inc., based out of Columbia, MD. Erin also shared her many talents as an adjunct professor in the Communication Science and Disorders Department of Marywood University. She presented her vast knowledge of her field to colleagues a plethora of times on a variety of topics in many different locations and was involved in several projects to further advance speech pathology over the years. 

She was a parishioner of the Church of St. Gregory, member of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, subject matter expert on the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders Practice Analysis Task Force, and a member of the editorial board for Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation publication. 

Erin was an avid party planner for any kind of event and truly enjoyed doing so. She enjoyed Penn State Football games, concerts and going to the movie theater. She was enjoying life as an empty-nester with her husband. She loved her two dogs, especially her golden retriever, Bailey, who was her constant companion throughout her diagnosis. Erin also volunteered her time in the community through the Junior League and as a religious educator. 

Surviving in addition to her parents and loving husband are two daughters: Abbey Marie and Emily Taylor Knoepfel of State College and Clarks Summit respectively; two sisters: Marie Brandt and husband Johnof Dalton, and Susan Stampien and husband Dr. Ted of Clarks Summit; an uncle, James Bochinski and husband Don Kasper, nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by brother, Joseph James Ryan.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday at 10am from Church Of St. Gregory, 330 North Abington Road, Clarks Green, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated by Rev. John M. Lapera.  Interment St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow, PA.  The family will receive relatives and friends Monday from 6:30 - 8:30pm and Tuesday from 9-9:45am at the church. 

For directions, or to leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.

Erin’s care has been entrusted to Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., 111 Colburn Avenue, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.