James "Jim" Randall Kniess

James “Jim” Randall Kniess, age 76, of Butler passed away peacefully at the Butler Memorial Hospital on Sunday, October 18, 2020, following an illness.

Born January 4, 1944 in Butler, he was the son of the late Harold and Helen Dietrich Kniess.

He was Presbyterian by faith. 

He faithfully served 6 years with the Army National Guard in the late 1960’s.

Jim started working at Pullman Standard and then became a life insurance sales agent and worked for Western and Southern and Colonial Life insurance companies with an office in Prospect.  He then became a rural mail carrier and retired from the United States Postal Service in 2008.

He was a life time member of the Unionville/Center Twp. Vol Fire Department, where he served as a former President and Treasurer.

Jim enjoyed friends and family.  He was very active in the Center Twp Athletic Association where he volunteered as a coach when his boys were playing.  He enjoyed bowling and was on the Lad’s and Lassie’s Bowling League and the Butler Businessman League.  Along with bowling, his other hobbies were golfing and cheering on Pittsburgh sports teams the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins.

He is survived by his wife Sandra Kaye Sutton Kniess, who he married August 9, 1969; his children Larry (Tami) Kniess of Slippery Rock, Jeffrey (Denise) Kniess of Butler, and Kevin (Miranda Kelley) Kniess of Butler; 12 Grandchildren: Alicia, Kasandra, Victoria, Ashley, Amanda, Aden, Athena, Nathan, Zachary, Kaylee, Brody, and Hailey; 6 Great Grandchildren:  Braxton, Kolten, Bentley, Alira, Jackson, and Eva; Mother in Law Grace Sutton of Butler; Sister in Law Rosa Kniess Potts of Butler; Sister in Law Bonnie (John) Foster of Florida; Brother in Law Tom Sutton of Butler; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Bill Kniess and Harold Kniess.

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Raisley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PC., 387 Main Street, Prospect, PA.

The funeral service will be on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 11am, in the Funeral Home, with Pastor Dana Opp, officiating.

Interment will be in West Sunbury Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Unionville/Center Twp. Vol Fire Department, 102 Mahood Road, Butler PA 16001.

For more information or to leave an online tribute go to www.raisleyfuneralhome.com

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