Obituary of Stephen Allen Knapper

Stephen Allen Knapper June 4th, 1995 – September 28th, 2021 Stephen Allen Knapper, 26, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, lost his battle with depression on Tuesday, September 28th, 2021. Stephen is home with God in perfect peace, but he will remain in the heart of his parents and siblings until we are all together again. Stephen was born June 4th, 1995, in Berrien Center, Michigan, to the late Richard Knapper and his mother, Pamela (Feury) Britt. He was the youngest of four children, with two brothers and one sister. Each of his siblings had their own unique and special relationship with Stephen, but they all agreed what they’ll miss most about him was his warm hugs and contagious laugh. Although Stephen’s life was cut far too short, the memories and relationships that developed over the span of his life will never be forgotten. Stephen loved big, he will always be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, and passionate person. He especially liked to have thought-provoking and lively conversations, for hours if he could. He wasn’t afraid of sharing his feelings or his thoughts, and it was known among his family and friends that Stephen was his happiest when he was having an intellectual debate. Stephen was constantly trying to find himself in a myriad of ways; trying new hobbies, exploring different ideas and learning new things. He was currently enrolled and finishing his last year of college at Western Michigan University, completing his dual major in Computer Science and Accounting. One of Stephen’s most special qualities was his ability to make a person feel heard. He understood the importance of being listened to and always wanted his friends and family to feel like they could share with him, just as he would share with them. If Stephen wasn’t spending his time with his human companions, he was most likely spoiling his beloved cats, Magellan and Aneera. In fact, it wasn’t unheard of to see Stephen carry his cats around in public. By nature, Stephen was a very giving person; giving his time, his effort, and his love to those who needed it the most. He always remembered friends and family’s birthdays and even reached out to his siblings and their spouses on their anniversaries. He had a heart so warm that on his own birthday he would take his mother flowers. He brought his mother a rose that he grew himself on his 26th birthday. Family was an extremely important aspect of his life. Growing up, there were many road trips back and forth from North Dakota to Michigan that he would take with his family. Those road trips were some of the best memories with his mother and siblings, one of the favorite was driving over the Mackinac Bridge. He was an easy person to be around, and anybody that knew him could tell you that a road trip with him in the car was always going to be an entertaining time. He also enjoyed making memories with friends and family, by playing board games such as; Risk or Settlers of Catan, as well as golfing, skiing and playing video games. Stephen was born with a creative mind and chose to express that in various ways. He enjoyed reading fantasy books, especially those written by Brandon Sanderson, dressing in character at renaissance festivals, and most recently by exploring his creative side through drawing. Stephen is preceded in death by his father, Richard Knapper, and his grandfathers Jerry Knapper and Robert Feury Sr. He is survived by his mother, Pamela (Tim) Britt of Eau Claire, Michigan; his four siblings, Matthew (Emily) Knapper of Niles, Scott (Presli) Knapper of South Bend, Amy (David) Bartz of Benton Harbor, and Noah Britt of Niles; 2 nieces, Lincoln and Harriet Knapper; 2 nephews, Bryce and Samuel Bartz; his grandma and grandpa Shoop, and his grandma Knapper; his aunt and uncle Cheryl and Glenn Heiser, and Robert and Rhonda Feury, cousins Rebecca Heiser, David Heiser, and Rob Feury, as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Stephen will be on Tuesday, October 5th, at Michiana Christian Camp located at 7383 Steinbauer Rd, Niles, Michigan. Public visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Funeral services for Stephen will be followed with cremation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Stephen’s memory to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com Arrangements have been entrusted with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.