Pauline Elizabeth Knisely

Pauline “Sis” Elizabeth (Martin) Knisely

Pauline “Sis” Elizabeth (Martin) Knisely, age 93, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of Bowmansdale, PA, died at the Church of God Home in Carlisle on Thursday, May 19, 2016.  Pauline was born on Tuesday, April 7, 1923, in Bowmansdale to the late Leslie J. Martin and Sarah “Sadie” (Hibner) Martin.  Pauline was married for 28 years and divorced from the late Wayne O. Knisely.  In addition to her parents, Pauline is preceded in death by her brothers: Earl (Peggy) Martin and Charles (Mary) Martin, and her infant sister, Laberta M. Martin.

Sis’s survivors include her sons: Harold W. Knisely and his wife, Lee, of Mechanicsburg, Earl L. Knisely, Sr. and his wife, Margie, of Camp Hill, Kevin K. Knisely and his wife, Diane, of Dillsburg; and her daughter, Kathi L. Pifer, and Dean of New Kingstown, PA.  Her five grandchildren are: Kristin Knisely, Earl Knisely, Jr., Brittany Knisely, Jason Knisely, Scott Pifer; and her five step-grandchildren are: Deanna (Pifer) Stouffer, Steve Pifer, Mark Pifer, and Michele Kennedy. She has five great-grandchildren, Micaha Knisely, Jacob Knisely Beers, Isabella Knisely, Emma Knisely, Hudson Pifer; and six step-great-grandchildren: Shannon Stouffer, Savannah Stouffer, Allen Pifer (Samantha), Michael Pifer, Cale Kennedy, Carter Kennedy; one step-great-great-grandchild, Addy Pifer; and ten nieces and nephews.

Sis attended the one-room school house in her hometown of Bowmansdale. She briefly worked at the Dress Factory in Mechanicsburg, PA prior to becoming a homemaker and raising her family of four. Sis attended the Bowmansdale Church of God in her later years; however, she always ensured her children attended church weekly. The Bowmansdale Church family gatherings were always very fond memories for her.  After the sale of the family home she moved to Mechanicsburg, taking with her all those memories made with family and friends over the 83 years she lived in Bowmansdale. Pauline “Sis” Knisely will be remembered by many as the “street walker” of Bowmansdale. Starting her daily walk from the “hill” to the church in the “dale,” she often visited her niece Vicki’s home and hair salon, heading to her destination, which was always the U.S. Post Office in the home of the Corman family. There she would spend the morning visiting her good friends, seeing those who stopped for their mail, and catching up on the news from the local paper.  Sis loved flowers, crocheting, crossword puzzles, and just sitting back in a crowd watching people. For many years after her children were gone from home, she spent her happiest times traveling with friends on her weekly trip to the Capital City Mall. There she would walk, have lunch at the food court, have her hair done and watch the bustling crowd of shoppers; but Sis’ favorite relaxing time of any day was to sit on her porch swing looking at all her beautiful flowers, wildlife in her yard, and the traffic passing by.  When Sis moved from Bowmansdale to the Silver Springs Garden Suites in Mechanicsburg, she made many new friends that brought her much comfort in her new home over the next ten years. There too, she sat on the porch talking to friends and watching nature at its best. In her final months as a resident at the Church of God Home in Carlisle, Sis came to love so many. Her greatest gift of life was given to her family because of her growth in spirit and faith while living at the home. She became able to express verbally so much love and appreciation to her children, family, friends and the staff. The family sends their most heartfelt thanks to all who so lovingly cared for Pauline.

Family and friends are welcome to join Sis’s family at her visitation on Saturday, July 30, 2016, from 10:30 until time of memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Bowmansdale Church Of God, 101 East Lisburn Road, in Bowmansdale, PA 17055.  Sis’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at the church immediately following the service.  Cremation then scattering of the ashes will follow at a time to be determined by the family.  She will be honored by name on her parents’ headstone at Strinestown Cemetery, in Strinestown, PA.

Contributions in celebration of Pauline’s life can be made to Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1093, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; or to Church of God Home, 801 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013; or to Bowmansdale Church of God, 101 East Lisburn Road, Bowmansdale, PA 17055.  Care is entrusted to Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Sis’s full obituary, view her picture, and sign Sis’s official guest book by visiting www.Buhrig.com .