Mary June (Dennis) Knippenberg

Mary June (Dennis) Knippenberg, known to most as “June”, age 88, passed peacefully and quietly in the presence of loved ones Sunday, January 5, 2025. June and her twin, Marjorie Jane, were born December 4, 1936 to Mary Sue (Arnold) Dennis and John Emmett Dennis. A perpetual caregiver, June left school at a young age to help her mother care for her younger siblings, but proudly completed her GED as an adult. She held various jobs outside of the home over the years including work at Hansley Mills, Bluegrass Industries, Dairy Queen, and employment as both a Dental Assistant and Nurse’s Aide. June was, however, primarily a homemaker, Mother, and Grandmother and those were the roles that she most cherished.
June loved children and was seldom happier than when she was holding and rocking a baby. She carried that love of children into her volunteer work for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the connections that she made with the community at North Middletown Church of the Nazarene where her homemade chili and vegetable beef soup became famous at church gatherings. She took great pride in her family and loved to share stories about them with anyone who would listen, and she frequently reminded us that she believed we were God’s greatest blessing to her. Now, more than ever, we all appreciate that her loving and caring nature was truly a blessing to us, her family, as well.
June was preceded in death by her adoring husband of more than 63 years, Billy “Knip” Knippenberg, her beloved parents Emmett and Mary Sue Dennis, her twin, Jane Ritchie of Cynthiana, and son-in-law Mike Mitchell. She is survived by the five children she and Billy raised: Vickie Carol Mitchell, Debra June (Rob) Strausbaugh, William Duane Knippenberg, Darin Mason (Sarah) Knippenberg, and Michael Seth Mitchell. June is also survived by nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, four sisters, one brother, and her beloved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate June’s life on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the Hinton-Turner Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to the North Middletown Church of the Nazarene. www.hintonturner.com