Ellis B. Houseknecht Jr.

August 31, 1929 - April 10, 2019

Ellis B. Houseknecht Jr., 89, of Hughesville died Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at Wolf Run Village in Hughesville. He was born August 31, 1929 in Hughesville, a son of the late Ellis, Sr. and Ivah (Kepner) Houseknecht. Ellis was married 40 years to his wife, Myra (Holland) Houseknecht who prededed him in death on June 19, 1997. Ellis was a lifelong resident of Hughesville where he was active in his community. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting and was blessed with many friends. A 1947 graduate of Hughesville High School, he was the leading scorer on the school's 1947 West Branch Basketball Championship Team playing with fellow friends, George Montgomery, Donnie Myers, Dale Smith and John Smith. Ellis was a 1951 graduate of Lycoming College where he obtained a BS. Ellis served honorably during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the Hughesville American Legion. Ellis was employed by Selective Insurance for 30 years and was claims manager at Selective's Williamsport office for 20 years. He was a 50 year member of the Eagles Mere Country Club where he served on the board of directors. Over the years, Ellis had a regular Saturday golfing foursome at the club which included Ben Fought, Bob Odell and Paul Wallis. He was a member of Muncy Valley Moose Lodge, Muncy Masonic Lodge #299 F. & A. M. and Williamsport Consistory. Ellis was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hughesville serving multiple terms on the church council. He was a multiple term member of the East Lycoming School District Board of Education serving with fellow friends, Pete Amer and Bob Odell. Ellis was a member of the Fort Sumpter Hunting Cabin where he enjoyed hunting and socializing with Ben, Clay, Jerry, Jim and Mike Fought, Mel, Tim and Todd Kepner, Bob Lovelace, Gordon Houseknecht and Mike Sullivan. Ellis is survived by two sons, Phillip "Pete" (Eve) Houseknecht of Shohola, PA and David Houseknecht of Loyalsock; six grandchildren, Bradley (Jenna), Derek, Brooke, Chris, Jarrod and Marissa Houseknecht; and two great grandchildren, Holland and Charlie Houseknecht. In addition to his wife and parents, Ellis was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Rena (Wellická) Houseknecht. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 15th at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 557 E. Water St., Hughesville with Rev. Cinda Brucker, his pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Hughesville. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Contributions can be made in Ellis' name to the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 120 S. Main St., Hughesville, PA 17737. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.mccartythomas.com.