Michael D. Knizner, Sr. "Big Mike", 73, of Marianna, PA died Thursday, January 29, 2015, in Washington Hospital. He was born, July 30, 1941 in Washington, PA, the son of the late Michael M. and Jenny Malinski Knizner. Mr. Knizner graduated from Bethelehem Center High School in 1959 and attended California College for one year. He was worked at Central Steel Wire in Chicago, IL for 10 years; was a coal miner at Bethlehem Mines for 18 years; worked at the Presbyterian Senior Care Center for 10 years as a maintenance worker; and worked at Pryor Bus Line until retiring in 2012. Mr. Knizner was in the Army from 1963 to 1969 during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Alaska. He was a member of Saint Oliver Plunket Parish, Sts. Mary and Ann Roman Catholic Church in Marianna. Following graduation from high he played professional baseball for the Colorado Delta Blues and also the Atlanta Braves Farm Team. He played softball on several ball teams around the Marianna area until the 1980s. He was a life member of the American Legion, Post #744, Marianna, where he was a Past Commander. He was also a member of the Marianna Lyceum and bowled there for many years. He loved the Steelers, attending three Super Bowls; Pirates, fishing, camping with his grandchildren; also enjoyed dancing polkas with his mom; and also loved his dog, Buddy. Surviving is his wife, Virginia Goughenour Knizner, whom he married on December 3, 1977, celebrating 37 years of marriage. He is survived by one son, Michael D. (Amber Hall) Knizner, Jr, Marianna, and daughter, Melissa (David) Stilwell of Marianna; four grandchildren, Brianna Stilwell, Geneva Knizner, David Stilwell, Jr. and Bailey Knizner. One brother Thomas "Doc" (May) Knizner, Marianna, sister, Carolyn (Bob) Noska, Ohio, and sister-in-law, JoAnne Knizner, Canonsburg, father-in-law, Glenn Goughenour, Marianna, sister-in-law Linda (John) Rice, Amity, brother-in-law James (Linda) Goughenour, Marianna, and many nieces and nephews. Deceased in addition to his parents are a brother Richard Knizner and grandson Michael Daniel Knizner, III. Family and friends will be received at the Nichol Funeral Home, 1728 Main Street, Marianna, PA 15345 on Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, February 1, 2015 from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2015 with the Rev. Father Paul Grunebach officiating. Interment will follow in Horn Cemetery, Marianna. Full graveside military rites will be accorded by American Legion, Post #744 of Marianna.