Russell P. Houseknecht

Russell P. Houseknecht, 61, of Lewisburg, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 12, 2017 at his home in his wife’s arms surrounded by his children.

He was born October 26, 1955 in Lackawanna, NY, a son of the late Roger A. Houseknecht and Faye E. (Wilver) Kleppinger, of Lewisburg. On November 8, 1974, he married the former Sharon Boob, who survives. Together they celebrated 42 years of marriage.

Russell was a Graduate of Lewisburg Area High School class of 1973

For the past seven years, Russell worked as a corporate internal auditor for Rescar Compaines, of Downers Grove, IL. He received training in auditing and numerous certifications in welding and nuclear emissions. Russell has been in the railcar manufacturing business for over 25 years.

He was a member of Dreisbach United Church of Christ, Lewisburg.

Russell was a member of the Charity Lodge #144, Lewisburg, where he served as a Worshipful Master in 1986. He was also a member of the Sunbury Shrine Club and the Irem Temple, Dallas, Pa.

Russell enjoyed woodworking, reading, hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren.   His most cherished pleasure was being with his grandchildren, family and friends, who will miss him dearly.

Surviving, in addition to his wife and mother are a daughter and son-in-law, Theresa M. and Eric Hales, of Montoursville; a son, Russell P. Houseknecht II, of Lewisburg; one brother and sister-in-law, Ronald A. and King Houseknecht, of Honolulu, HI; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Paul Geiswite, of Winfield; and six grandchildren, Jordyn Elizabeth, Mackenzie Grace and Adrian Tyler Hales, Chloe Elizabeth, Alyson Paige and Russell P. Houseknecht III.

Recently, after a 40 year hiatus, he reunited with his former band mates from high school and would like to pass on “A special thanks to Mitch, Ed, Richie and Big Jim for getting me back into classic rock and roll again.”  He spent the last 5 years loving the music with them.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Emily and the entire Evangelical Hospice staff.

Friends will be received from 11 am to noon, Saturday, March 25 at Dreisbach United Church of Christ, 875 Dreisbach Church Rd., Lewisburg, where a memorial service will be held at noon, with his minister, Pastor Nathan Druckenmiller, officiating. A Masonic service will be held at 10:45 a.m. prior to the visitation.

Interment will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607

The family is being assisted by the Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, S Second and St. Louis streets, Lewisburg.