Louis Edward Knoble

Louis Edward "Lou" Knoble, age 90, of Madison, Indiana, and the son of the late Louis John and Margarite R. (Breckel) Knoble, was born at the Deaconess Hospital in Buffalo, New York. After graduating on June 28, 1949 from East High School in Buffalo, he went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. During his service, he was stationed at Scott Air Force base in Illinois and at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. On August 25, 1956, he was united in marriage to the former Mary Clare Schwach in Lockport, New York and this union was blessed with seven children. He studied at the State University of New York College for Teachers at Buffalo, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education in 1957 and went on to obtain his Master of Science in Education in 1963.

From 1957-1964, he was employed at Starpoint Central in Lockport, New York where he was a teacher for three years, an administrator for four years, and coached cross country. For the next thirty years, he was the Head of the Art Department and an art teacher at Madison Consolidated Schools. He continued his love for coaching at Madison by coaching cross country and track for many years. In 2020, the Madison High School Cross Country course was dedicated and named after him. After leaving Madison High School, he worked at Hanover College for the next nine years where he taught art education, served as the assistant cross country and track coach, and was the Sports Department Communications assistant. In 2012, he was awarded the Hanover College Medal for Excellence in the Arts by Hanover College President Sue DeWine. Throughout the years, he also worked at Lytle Funeral Home, Grote's, the Madison State Hospital, and the Boys and Girls Club.

In addition to his professional career, he was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church where he served on the St. Patrick's Parish Council, the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, and was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, where he previously served as Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Major Samuel Woodfill Post #9, American Legion, the Madison Kiwanis Club, the Main Street Art Club, and had participated in several Casa Amiga festivals. He was one of the founders of the Madison Regatta's 10K Race and was a past president of Madison Regatta. His love of art led him to become one of the founding artists of the revised Madison Chautauqua Art Festival in 1971. Through his great impact on the Madison community, he was named a "Distinguished Citizen" by Madison Mayor Damon Welch in 2019. Mr. Knoble passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at his residence in Madison.

His life will be cherished by his wife of 65 years, Mary Clare of Madison; his children: Lou (Kim) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Michael (Debra) of St. Peters, Missouri, Carol of Wooster, Ohio, Rachel (Randy) of Bloomington, Indiana, Charlie (Claire) of Somerville, Massachusetts, Angela (Terry), of Naperville, Illinois, and Kathleen (Paul) of Gloucester, Massachusetts; his grandchildren: Tony, Michelle, Lauren, Ben, Anna, Chris, Sam, and Ian; his great grandchildren: Simon, Estelle, Avery, August, Macaida, Chase and Ryan; his sister-in-law, Mira; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Robert and Charles (Mary & Pat) Knoble.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Thomas Family Winery, 208 East Second Street, Downtown Madison. Join Lou's friends and family in remembering his extraordinary artistic, teaching, coaching, and volunteer contributions to the Madison community.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Lou Knoble Art Fund at the Community Foundation of Madison or the St. Patrick's Catholic Church Repair Fund. Contributions may be made at the Lytle Welty Funeral Home or below.

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