Janet K. Kleinknight, 82, of Bluffton, passed away on Monday morning, Dec. 29, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on Feb. 1, 1943, in Ashland, Kentucky to Willie and Anna (McDowell) Thompson.
Janet worked at Corning Glass Works for 17 years, tended bar at the Bluffton Eagles Lodge, and retired from Bluffton Rubber after 22 years of service. She enjoyed bowling and bowled with her husband on local bowling leagues. Family was the most important thing in Janet’s life. After retirement, Janet enjoyed spending her winters in the warm sunshine of Florida, with her sisters.
Janet and Charles Edward Kleinknight were married and shared over 65 years together before he preceded her in death on Feb. 12, 2004.
Survivors include her sons, Tim (Tina) Kleinknight and Larry Kleinknight, and a granddaughter, Nikia Kleinknight, all of Bluffton.
She is also survived by a brother, Clarence Everett (Marti) Thompson of Ashland, Kentucky, and a sister, Donna (Barney) Creamer of Florida.
Janet is preceded in death by her husband Charles, and siblings, Beulah M. Murphy, Charles “Bill” Thompson, Robert Gene Thompson, Louise Sawyer, Peggy Ann Bayes and Ruth Bailey.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton with Jeff Lemler officiating.
Visitation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at the funeral home and for one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made in Janet’s memory to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to the Kleinknight family at www.thomarich.com.