Dr. Mark Kniss Obituary (1927 - 2014)

Dr. Mark Allan Kniss 87 Harrisonburg Dr. Mark Allan Kniss, 87, a resident of the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center, passed away June 6, 2014 at Oak Lea Nursing Home. Dr. Kniss was born February 26, 1927 in Dhamtari, India and was the son of the late Lloy A. Kniss and Elizabeth Luther Kniss. Dr. Kniss graduated from Wittenberg College (Ohio) in 1951 and Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa in 1956. He served residencies in Harrisburg General Hospital in Harrisburg, PA and Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. After his medical training, he served in India under the Mennonite Board of Missions, Elkhart, IN. In 1960, Dr. Kniss started a clinic that expanded into a full outpatient department and grew to be a 60 bed hospital by the time he left India in 1973. Dr. Kniss opened a family practice, Park View Medical Center in Park View in 1974, where he saw patients until 1998. After his retirement, he made 5 trips back to India to assist at the hospital. His 2011 trip was for the 50th Anniversary of the Nav Jivan Hospital. Dr. Kniss was superintendent of the Avante Nursing Home in Harrisonburg. He was a member of the Rockingham Male Chorus and was an avid hunter, enjoyed bicycling and gardening. Dr. Kniss was an active member of the Ridgeway Mennonite Church where he served many roles. On July 6, 1952, he married Betty Martin Kniss who survives. Also surviving are his children, Lois K. (Dale) Jones, Richmond; James M. Kniss, Mt. Joy, PA; Robert E. (Brenda) Kniss and Eric A. (Brenda) Kniss all of Harrisonburg; two brothers, Paul G. (Naomi) Kniss, Harrisonburg; David L. (Esther) Kniss, Sarasota, Florida; one sister, Esther K. (Myron) Augsburger, Harrisonburg; five grandchildren, Kevin D. Jones, Kristen M. Jones, Andrew R. Kniss, Jennifer M. Kniss and James Paul Kniss. Pastor Ben Risser and Dr. Myron Augsburger will conduct a memorial service Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 3p.m. at Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Avenue, Harrisonburg. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6p.m. until 8p.m. at Ridgeway Mennonite Church, 546 East Franklin Street, Harrisonburg. At his request, his body was donated to the Virginia Anatomical Board. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mennonite Mission Network, P.O. Box 370, Elkhart, IN, 46515 or to the Virginia Mennonite Missions, 901 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mcmullenfh.com.