KNOWLES OBITUARIES
Judge Francis Earl "Punch" KNOWLES (1918
- 2006)
Knowles Progenitor - Delaware
#01 - Edmund "Old Silverhead" Knowles
based on obituary that
appeared in the Evansville Courier & Press on August 15, 2006
and Knowles research by Robert B. Noles
Francis Earl "Punch" Knowles (1918 - 2006)
s/o Charles K. Knowles (1885 - aft 1930)
s/o John Knowles (1857 - aft 1900)
s/o James K. Knowles (1816 - aft 1860)
"Punch" is believed to be a 6th Great Grandson of the
Knowles Progenitor (DE #01) - Edmund "Old Silverhead" Knowles
Judge Francis E. ‘Punch’ Knowles, 79, was born in Oliver, Indiana, and grew up on a farm. He attended Wadesville High School and Indiana University where he earned his Law degree. His senior year in law school, he married his high school sweetheart, Alvena Wentzel. After graduating from Law school, he adjusted claims in Indianapolis and Evansville, Indiana, for Travelers Insurance Company while waiting to report for service in World War II. He was in the service as an M.P. in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Alaska. After the war, he returned to Mount Vernon, Indiana, and entered into the practice of Law with Bill Espenschied, later opening his own Law office. He was Prosecuting Attorney for two terms, Judge of Posey Circuit for two terms, then returned to Private Practice with Otis Allyn, later opening his own office where he practiced Law until he retired in 1983.
As a teenager, Knowles was on the American Legion Baseball team that played in the State Finals and he continued to enjoy baseball and softball for many years, along with doing some coaching and managing of ball tams. He was a past Exalted Ruler of the Mount Vernon, Indiana, Elks Lodge No. 277, past President and Lt. Governor or Kiwanis, District of Indiana, past President of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of American Legion Post No. 5 at Mt. Vernon Air Board, a former member of Western Hills Country Club, former member and Trustee of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon and St. Matthew PTA. In 1977, he was named Boss of the Year by the Mt. Vernon American Business Women’s Association.
He was a member of the Posey County Bar and State Bar Association. He was appointed by the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana on a Committee for Improvement of Civil Procedure. In his late thirties, Knowles became interested in flying and earned his private license. He then went on to earn his instrument ticket. He not only enjoyed flying his family and friends to Kentucky Lake or Rough River for lunch or dinner (among many other places), but also on much longer trips to Florida, Arizona and Alaska. Knowles’ other interests included gardening, reading, playing cards, fishing (which included tying his own flies), and travel. Mr. Knowles was able to fulfill three lifetime dreams: 1. To visit each of our 50 States 2. To fly (pilot) a small 4-seater plane to Alaska 3. To cruise through the Panama Canal. His travels included each of the United States, Canada and Mexico, three tips to Europe, and one to South America, as well as several cruises. In 1988, Mr. Knowles and his wife moved to Lakeland, Florida, where he was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church and the Elks Lodge No. 1291.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Alvena “Judy” Knowles, 2 sons, Attorney William Knowles, Portland, Maine and Michael Knowles, Riverview, Florida; and grandson, John Francis Knowles of Boulder, Colorado. Preceding him in death were his parents, Charles K. Knowles and Rachel Causey Knowles.
A visitation will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel in Lakeland, Florida, today, August 15th, from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be held at the Church of the Resurrection in Lakeland, Florida, on Wednesday, August 16th at 11 a.m. with a reception following at the Elks Lodge. Arrangements made by Heath Funeral Chapel, Lakeland, Florida.
