Jerry Dunbar Knouse

Jerry (Dunbar) Knouse
Jeraldine ‘Jerry’ L. (Dunbar) Knouse, 88, of Lititz, PA, passed away recently at Moravian Manor
Communities surrounded by her loving family. Jerry never wanted a party to end, and for weeks before
her passing, devoted family and friends showered her with love and honored her wishes. In the home
her father built in Braeburn, PA, and with her older brother Jim anxiously awaiting, she was born to
James A. and M. Irene (Burford) Dunbar along with her identical twin Jacky.

After graduation from Grove City College in 1954 she first worked as a paralegal in Orlando, FL,
and then as a secretary to the VP of Alcoa in New Kensington, PA. After her marriage to her loving
husband Albert in 1961, she devoted herself to raising her three children, providing a warm and
hospitable home to family and friends, and devoted countless volunteer hours to myriad organizations.

She loved the community and friends of Newtown, PA, where Al and Jerry raised their children
and she was a deacon, elder and committed member of Newtown Presbyterian Church. After Al’s
retirement they moved to Lititz, PA, in 1999 to be closer to their grandchildren scattered throughout
Central PA and there became a deacon, volunteer and committed member of Highland Presbyterian
Church. Additionally, she was active in P.E.O. and Lititz Woman’s Club and loved the women with whom
she fellowshipped.

Rooted in their faith, she and Al dedicated themselves to a life of serving others locally and also
went on multiple mission trips to Malawi, Africa.

But what most people will remember Jerry for is inviting aromas of culinary creations emanating
from her kitchen, a dining room table set just right, and a house full of people - the more the merrier.
She loved holidays, especially Thanksgiving. She was in her element cooking for forty-plus people
gathered in her home on those cold November days, creating warm memories that will echo for
generations through her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Her gift
was hospitality and she did it well.
Jerry (Dunbar) Knouse

She and Al also enjoyed traveling internationally, frequently veering off the beaten path to
experience different cultures and make new friends around the world. On these trips they were
frequently accompanied by their like-minded explorers Mike and Jacky Ferguson, Jim and Mary Dunbar,
Walt and Rita Knouse and other dear friends.

She had the unique experience of having an identical twin who was also her best friend. From
the womb they shared a profound connection that was more than a physical similarity. It was deep,
spiritual and sometimes magical. Their families are beneficiaries of this intimacy and the abundant joy
experienced at overflowing holiday gatherings, or even at the bedside of this elegant woman, is their
legacy. Their beautiful lifelong bond was shared by their husbands who were also best friends. And the
four of them, bound by a love of God and for each other, modeled lives of loving and serving others.

And for Jerry and Al, this often meant traveling 300 miles in the opposite direction to visit an old
friend or a relative because it was ‘on the way’; or driving several hours to see one hour of a grandchild’s
event; or traversing cross-country to make sure a hurting soul knew they were loved. Together their
incessant energy and devotion to the people in their lives was singularly inspiring. This commitment to
bringing joy to others, in turn, brought Jerry great joy. And, in her final days, she often reflected on this
abundance and said, ‘We had a great life.’

Jerry is survived by her husband, Albert B. Knouse, Sr.; her sister Jaqueline L. Ferguson of
Carlisle, PA; her dear sisters-in-law Mary C. Dunbar of Olmsted Township, OH, and Lois K. Woodward of
Bluebell, PA; her three children, Albert B. Knouse, Jr. (Kathy), of Elliottsburg, PA; Jacqué L. Reapsome
(Jon) of Carlisle, PA; Matthew D. Knouse (Kelly) of Lititz, PA; eight grandchildren, Matthew R. Knouse of
Philadelphia, PA; Sara G. Weaver (Josiah) of Elizabethtown, PA; Jenna L. Biter (Drew) of Raeford, NC;
Luke A. Knouse of Philadelphia, PA; Maddison L. Reapsome of Lititz, PA; Abigayle V. Knouse of Lititz, PA;
Caleb R. Reapsome of Carlisle, PA; and Benjamin K. Knouse of Lititz, PA; and two great grandsons,
Jerry (Dunbar) Knouse

Calihan M. Weaver and Alasdair N. Weaver of Elizabethtown, PA. She was preceded in death by her
brother James A. Dunbar of Westlake, OH; her brother-in-law James ‘Mike’ Ferguson of Carlisle, PA; and
her nephew James S. Ferguson of Carlisle, PA.

Memorial services to be held at Moravian Manor on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 10:30 AM. As the
wife of a military veteran, her ashes will be buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on July 3 at 11 AM.
 As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent in her name to her beloved alma mater Grove City
College, 100 Campus Dr., Grove City, PA 16127 or online at http://www.giving.gcc.edu/

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