Meredith Fahler Knopf, 61, died Sept. 26, 2010, in her Peoria residence surrounded by her loving family. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Restland Cemetery, Mendota, with the Rev. Michael Morrell officiating. Funeral arrangements were provided by Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. A celebration of her life will be at Rythym Kitchen, 305 S. W. Water St., Peoria, 5-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4 for family and friends. She was born Feb. 23, 1949, in Mendota to Howard and Roberta (Bauer) Fahler. Meredith graduated from Mendota High School in 1967 and from Illinois State University, Normal, with a degree in special education. She taught special education, co-managed Running Central and The Best of Post and Pillar. She was an active member of Illinois Valley Striders. She loved to cycle and run, cycling hundreds of miles over local country roads. A highlight of her cycling was riding across the Golden Gate Bridge. She was a daily runner and recognized in many of the neighborhoods where she ran. She was a strong competitor in many 5K races. She enjoyed jazz, attending many jazz concerts in the Midwest. She was adventurous with no fear of a ride in a hot air balloon, glider or gyrocopter. She enjoyed vacationing on Caribbean beaches. Meredith had many Labrador retrievers in her life, Sunny being her last and dearest. Meredith was a very loving and caring daughter, sister, aunt, life companion and friend to every person whose life she touched. She is survived by her parents of Mendota; nephews, Dana Vicich and Bryce Vicich, both of Ottawa; brother-in-law, Mike Vicich; her companion, Bob Gordon; and her Labrador, Sunny. She was preceded by her loving sister, Pat Vicich. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude or Methodist Hospice, Peoria.