Kenneth Wayne Knox, 84, of Rochester Mills, passed away at his home on March 12, 2026, with his loving wife, Harriet by his side.
He was born in Punxsutawney on July 7, 1941, a son of the late Virgil Stanley Knox and Marion Ruth (Zener) Knox. Ken enlisted in the US Air Force in 1959, ultimately giving 20 years of honorable service to his country.
On September 11, 1965, he married the love of his life, Harriet Elizabeth Converse, whom he met while stationed at Bitburg Air Base in Germany. They loved each other more than life itself and although she called him, “The Boss,” it was their mutual respect for each other that blessed their marriage.
Mr. Knox was an Aircraft Maintenance Technician and supervisor serving at multiple overseas and state-side bases. In 1969 he was awarded the nation’s fourth highest decoration, the Bronze Star, while serving in combat in Vietnam.
Following retirement from the service, he and Harriet purchased “Autumn House Farm” where they would spend the next 45 years building a business in the wool industry, developing a unique breed of sheep, and working as leaders in promoting agriculture across Indiana County.
Mr. Knox worked with the Department of Agriculture as a long time member and supporter of the Indiana County Wool Pool. Passionate about sharing his love of farming and rural traditions, he welcomed countless Cub Scout troops and school groups to the farm. He gave many of those young visitors and adults a hands-on glimpse into agriculture and self-sufficiency, and through his service and his willingness to teach others he is still remembered by students and former visitors when they return to our area.
Mr. Knox was a member of the Covode Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Harriet and his two children; daughter Victoria Dicken of Rochester Mills, and her children, Liam, Ryan and Gavin Dicken; and his son Kenneth A. Knox and wife, Wendy, of Poteet, Texas and their children, Morgan, Logan, and Heather Knox, her fiance, Milo Brooking and Carter Dicken, Victoria’s former husband.
He is also survived by his sister Clara Cressley of Punxsutawney, and was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers, John, Charles, Ralph, Clark, Donny, Richard, Harold, and two sisters, Martha Jobe and Frances Godo.
Friends will be received from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, and from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc, Punxsutawney.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Paul Davis.
Because of his dedication to agriculture in Pennsylvania, In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Mr. Knox’s memory to Marion Center School District’s Vocational Agriculture Program.
Donations can be made payable to Marion Center Area School District and mailed to:
Marion Center Area School District
Attention: Business Office/Vo Ag Donation
P.O. Box 156
22820 Route 403 Hwy N.
Marion Center, PA 15759
