February 17, 2022
February 17, 2022
Wes, you will forever be in my heart .... you are my soul mate. I loved you in the past, I love you today, I will love you always.
Wesley James Knepp, Jr., 56, of Mannington, New Jersey, passed away on February 11, 2022, at 2:25 a.m. with his girlfriend Belinda, daughter Jessica, and son-in-law Adam at his side.
Born January 18, 1966, in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Wesley (Jim) James Knepp, Sr. and Paula May (Miller) Knepp who both sadly passed away on December 11, 2021. Before moving to New Jersey in 2012 to be with Belinda, he had lived in West Decatur, Pennsylvania.
Surviving is his long-time girlfriend and companion Belinda Ann (Steen) Oliver of Mannington, NJ, his children Jessica Gearhart and husband Adam of Lewistown, PA; Wesley James Knepp, III, and companion Kim of Philipsburg, PA; Misty Knepp and companion Dustin of Morrisdale, PA; and step-son Robert Oliver of Mannington, NJ; his grandchildren Jayden and Devin Gearhart, Willow Knepp, Gabriella, Harmony, and Simeon Knepp; and his fur baby Dasha who was his Dasha Girl and daily companion. He and Belinda also have two cats, but if anyone knows Wes, he had a love / hate relationship with Tigger and Storm.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his infant sister Crystal Knepp and his infant grandson Isaiah Witcher.
Wes graduated from Philipsburg Osceola High School in 1983 and joined the Air Force. He enjoyed living life to its fullest, and when he was able, he loved hunting and fishing with his Dad, walking in nature with Belinda, taking rides through the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and finding obscure dirt roads to see where they led. When visiting his parents in West Decatur, PA, he made sure he drove down every gravel / dirt road, including all the mountain roads, in the area. He enjoyed trips to Benezette, PA, to see the Elk, trips to the Jersey Shore, and any adventure that he could go on with Belinda and Dasha. Wes loved talking to his Mom on the phone every day and enjoyed spending time with his daughter Jessica and her family. He lived, ate, slept, and breathed Nascar and could be found watching any show and podcast related to it. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved cooking for his family using fresh herbs and vegetables from his garden and was always on the hunt for a new gadget he could use in the kitchen. He was very proud of his step-son Robert who graduated culinary school and loved tasting the meals Robert would make. Wes would always dance and rap with his grandsons Jayden and Devin to prove to them that he wasn’t old. One of his favorite adventures was a trip to Lewes, Delaware, where he spent the weekend with Belinda, Jessica, Adam, and his grandsons. Another trip to Lewes included his Mom and Dad where he got to show his Mom the beach and the ocean for the first time in her life.
Even though he dealt with pain and illnesses, he loved getting out of the house even if it was to just go for a ride somewhere. On Fridays, he would ask Belinda “what’s on your agenda this weekend?” meaning he wanted to take a ride somewhere. Wes was the type of person that stood beside you and supported you in good times and bad. He would have given the shirt off his back if you needed it. After going through a life threatening illness in 2020, Wes firmly believed that God got him through it, and he paid it forward many times with prayers for anyone that needed it.
Celebration of Life services will be held at later dates in Salem County, New Jersey, and in West Decatur, Pennsylvania.
The family would like to suggest donations made in his memory to one of the following:
Lilo’s Promise Animal Rescue - https://www.lilospromise.org/
Autism Speaks - https://www.autismspeaks.org/
The Dale Jr. Foundation - https://www.thedalejrfoundation.org/
Fertig Funeral Home
Born January 18, 1966, in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Wesley (Jim) James Knepp, Sr. and Paula May (Miller) Knepp who both sadly passed away on December 11, 2021. Before moving to New Jersey in 2012 to be with Belinda, he had lived in West Decatur, Pennsylvania.
Surviving is his long-time girlfriend and companion Belinda Ann (Steen) Oliver of Mannington, NJ, his children Jessica Gearhart and husband Adam of Lewistown, PA; Wesley James Knepp, III, and companion Kim of Philipsburg, PA; Misty Knepp and companion Dustin of Morrisdale, PA; and step-son Robert Oliver of Mannington, NJ; his grandchildren Jayden and Devin Gearhart, Willow Knepp, Gabriella, Harmony, and Simeon Knepp; and his fur baby Dasha who was his Dasha Girl and daily companion. He and Belinda also have two cats, but if anyone knows Wes, he had a love / hate relationship with Tigger and Storm.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his infant sister Crystal Knepp and his infant grandson Isaiah Witcher.
Wes graduated from Philipsburg Osceola High School in 1983 and joined the Air Force. He enjoyed living life to its fullest, and when he was able, he loved hunting and fishing with his Dad, walking in nature with Belinda, taking rides through the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and finding obscure dirt roads to see where they led. When visiting his parents in West Decatur, PA, he made sure he drove down every gravel / dirt road, including all the mountain roads, in the area. He enjoyed trips to Benezette, PA, to see the Elk, trips to the Jersey Shore, and any adventure that he could go on with Belinda and Dasha. Wes loved talking to his Mom on the phone every day and enjoyed spending time with his daughter Jessica and her family. He lived, ate, slept, and breathed Nascar and could be found watching any show and podcast related to it. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved cooking for his family using fresh herbs and vegetables from his garden and was always on the hunt for a new gadget he could use in the kitchen. He was very proud of his step-son Robert who graduated culinary school and loved tasting the meals Robert would make. Wes would always dance and rap with his grandsons Jayden and Devin to prove to them that he wasn’t old. One of his favorite adventures was a trip to Lewes, Delaware, where he spent the weekend with Belinda, Jessica, Adam, and his grandsons. Another trip to Lewes included his Mom and Dad where he got to show his Mom the beach and the ocean for the first time in her life.
Even though he dealt with pain and illnesses, he loved getting out of the house even if it was to just go for a ride somewhere. On Fridays, he would ask Belinda “what’s on your agenda this weekend?” meaning he wanted to take a ride somewhere. Wes was the type of person that stood beside you and supported you in good times and bad. He would have given the shirt off his back if you needed it. After going through a life threatening illness in 2020, Wes firmly believed that God got him through it, and he paid it forward many times with prayers for anyone that needed it.
Celebration of Life services will be held at later dates in Salem County, New Jersey, and in West Decatur, Pennsylvania.
The family would like to suggest donations made in his memory to one of the following:
Lilo’s Promise Animal Rescue - https://www.lilospromise.org/
Autism Speaks - https://www.autismspeaks.org/
The Dale Jr. Foundation - https://www.thedalejrfoundation.org/
Fertig Funeral Home
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February 17, 2022
February 17, 2022
Wes, you will forever be in my heart .... you are my soul mate. I loved you in the past, I love you today, I will love you always.
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