Charlene Knispel, a well-known name in Kosciusko County politics, passed away Sunday at the age of 81.

Knispel served as Kosciusko County Auditor from 1995 to 1999. Prior to that, she was Turkey Creek Township Assessor, and she also served as a first district representative on the Kosciusko County Council.

Knispel was a precinct committee member and secretary of the county’s Republican Central Committee, and was a recipient of the Distinguished Hoosier Award in April 2010.

Details on her obituary are pending at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse.