Obituary of J. Carl Knouse

J. Carl Knouse, 84, of Hummelstown, PA, passed away on Sunday afternoon, July 14, 2024 at home after a six year battle with cancer. Born in Evendale, PA he was the son of the late John and Sarah B. Graybill Knouse. He was the loving husband of Nancy Saner Knouse for 63 years.

Carl was raised in Juniata County and graduated from East Juniata High School in 1957. He was a believer in the Christian faith. Following high school, he volunteered for two years in 1-W Service at Philhaven. As a young man, he maintained a delivery route for pretzels, chips, and Archway cookies for 26 years. He then purchased the Fantastic Sam’s franchise and opened and operated three family haircare salons in the Harrisburg and Camp Hill areas. After 20 years, Carl sold the salon business and worked as a salesman with Renewal by Anderson until his health prevented him from working in 2023. Carl enjoyed riding motorcycles, ice hockey and going to the beach.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Wanita A. Knouse Bortell (Morton) of Ephrata, PA, Kevin T. Knouse, (Gwyneth Hoffman) of South Boston, VA, and Kenneth E. Knouse of Lancaster, PA; six grandchildren; one great grandson; and a sister, Eleanor Brown of Oxford, PA. He was also preceded in death by two siblings, Samuel Knouse and Mildred Kauffman.

Services are private with interment in Elizabethtown Mennonite Cemetery. If desired, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603 earmarked for multiple myeloma research. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.