Stephen J. Knouse

Stephen James Knouse, 88, of Hummelstown passed away peacefully Sunday, October 5, 2025. Born January 30, 1937 in Camden, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Rohr and Kathryn Knouse and also preceded in death by his brothers and sister, John, Paul, Ruth, Joseph, David, and Andrew. Retired from Hershey Foods, he was a member of Hanoverdale Church of the Brethren (Hummelstown) where he served as usher and greeter.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 71 years Evelyn M. (Hess) Knouse; daughter Sharon E. Van Hoesen of Palmyra, granddaughter Lindsay B. Hoke of Hummelstown and two great-grandchildren, Stacia Hoke (York) and Kenna Hoke (Hummelstown). He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Although outnumbered by girls, he didn’t mind at all.

Steve worked 37 years at Hershey Foods and most of that time he worked additional jobs part-time to support his family. When people remember Steve, they’ll remember him with a smile on his face - he was such a happy, friendly, and kind man. He was quick to share a smile, a laugh, a handshake, or a hug. Steve lived a full life and loved telling stories from the past - stories of how he saved a coworker’s life at Hershey when he cut his tie free from the rollers, stories of how he and Clarence somehow managed to defy fate through their adventures, stories of the three-wheeler he built from scratch.

Steve was an avid Phillies fan. He was in a bowling league for many years and made sure his family bowled with him. As a family we enjoyed many miniature golf games, walks in the mountains, badminton, croquet and roller skating. He loved music, especially hymns, gospel and country. And oh, did he have a sweet tooth. There were always Tootsie Rolls on the table for guests, Hershey candies nearby, and in his own words, he “never met a cookie or cake he didn’t like.” In fact he was the official cookie taste-tester for our 4 generation Christmas cookie marathon.

Steve loved life’s simple things. He fed the birds every single day - rain, snow, or shine. He went through plenty of bird feeders thanks to the squirrels and raccoons, but that never stopped him. Those birds mattered to him. So did every animal that crossed his path - from chipmunks that would eat right out of his hand to the baby deer he once carried in his arms.

But above all else, Steve loved his family. He adored his wife. They met when he offered her what he always called “candy cotton,” and from that day on, they were inseparable. In his own words… “I just want to spend as much time with them as I can.” That was his heart - he simply wanted to be with those he loved. He was the best husband, dad, grandpa, and papa his family could have ever asked for. Until we meet again…your family loves you.

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