Milford & Harriet G. Knowles
Milford Keith Knowles Birth 9 Sep 1915 Indianapolis, Marion county Indiana Death
9 Jun 1986 Attica, Fountain, Indiana BURIAL Riverside Cemetery Attica, Fountain
County, Indiana son of Freeman Knowles and Jessie Lucille
Coffing
Attica - Milford K. Knowles, 70, died at 6:25 p.m. Monday in his
home at 510 E. Monroe.
Mr. Knowle formerly was engage in farming
He also woned and operated Mellot Grain CO. for 39 years, and he
and his brother, the late Reed Knowles, formerly owned elevators in
Tab, Judyville, Earl Park, Kentland, Perkins Sper, and Attica.
He also was a livensed minister.
Born in Indianapolis, Sept 9, 1915, he was a life resident of the Attica
area.
He attended grade school in RobROy, graduated from Culver Military
Academy in 1933, and attended Depauw and Indiana universities.
He was a member of Eagles Lodge in Attica.
On Jan 2., 1936 he was married in Bloomoington to Harriet Guthrie, who
survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. AUstin "Buzz" (CYnthia) Barker of
Attica; two sons: CHristopher Knowles of CHicago, Ill. and Thomas
Knowles of Vero Beach, FLa.
married Jan 2 1936 Bloomington, Monroe county Indiana Harriet Tribble Guthrie
BIRTH 18 Feb 1915 New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana DEATH 2 Jul 1989
Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana BURIAL Riverside Cemetery Attica, Fountain
County, Indiana daughter of John Andrew Smith Guthrie andPearl Monselle Hardin
Attica - Harriet Guthrie Knowles, 74, of Monroe Street, died at 9.23 a.m. in St.
Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center in Lafayette. SHe had been in extended care
there since May
Mrs. Knowles was a former realtor and former manager of Attica School Copr. cafeteria.
In addition, she wrote articles for the Old Wabash River Review. She also started the
Lamplighter Service for new residents of Attica.
Born in Bew ALbay, Feb 18, 1915, she had spent most of her life in the Attica area.
She graduated from New ALbany High School and attended DePauw and Indiana universities.
Her marriage was Jan 2, 1935 in Bloomington, Ind. to Milfrod Keith Knowles. He died June 9,
1986.
She was a member of United Methodist church in Attica, and formerly sang in the choir there.
She also was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority; Manday Afternoon club, Literary Club,
a charter memeber of Psi Iota XI sorority. and a former member of Musical Arts in Attica.
Survivng are a daughter, Mr. Austin "Buzz:" *CYnthia Jane) Barker of Attica; two sons:
Christopher G. Knowles of Barrington Hills, Ill, abd Thomas Reed Knowles of Ver Bech, Fla.;
two sisters: Mrs. Ida Virginia "Pinny" Walker of Jeffersonville, Ind. and Mrs. Jane Guthrie
Beale of Seattle Wash. - Journal & CUrier Jul 23, 1989
Their children:
Cynthia Jane Knowles married Austin "Buzz" Barker
Christopher Knowles
Thomas Reed Knowles
Thomas Reed Knowles, 76, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away January 15, 2024.
Tom was born August 26, 1947, in Lafayette, Indiana to the late Milford and Harriet
Guthrie Knowles. Raised in Attica, Indiana, a rural community, Tom had fond memories
of playing along the Little Shawnee Creek, so much so that he requested some of his
ashes be spread there.
As a young man, Tom attended Culver Military Academy and graduated from Attica High
School. While at Culver, Tom was a drummer in the drum corps, and for the rest of his
life, Tom walked to his own drum.
An avid Indiana University Hoosiers basketball fan, Tom attended the University prior
to returning to Attica to work with his father, Milford, at Valley Grain Company, the
family grain business. Tom met Sharon Sims, his wife to be, on a blind date arranged
by his nephew Charles, who was a 7th grade student in Sharon’s class at Attica High
School. Tom and Sharon married on June 16, 1973. Together the two had one son, Jeff,
who was born on their third anniversary in 1976.
After the sale of the family grain business, Tom relocated his family to Vero Beach,
Florida. In 1989, Tom established Florida Indian River Groves, a citrus company
providing fresh fruit for resale as a fundraiser. A skillful businessman, Tom possessed
the exceptional ability to focus on what was truly important, rarely stressing over the
unpredictable ups and downs of life. He refused to “major on the minors” steadfastly
accepting the “crisis du jour,” understanding that “things happen” and extending grace to o
thers. He never burned his bridges. Those closest to Tom, co-workers and friends alike,
appreciated his unique sense of humor. He enjoyed “stirring the pot” and playing some
good-natured practical jokes. Over Tom’s 35 years of involvement with the company, Tom
assisted thousands of schools, churches and community groups in raising millions of dollars
for worthwhile causes. The company continues to operate under his son’s leadership, and up
until the day before he was hospitalized, Tom was in the office on a daily basis, always
willing to provide guidance and support.
Tom enjoyed sunshine and being with nature, spending time on the water, water-skiing and
fishing, and expressed his artistic talents through photography, often combining the two to
take photos of outdoor scenes. Tom enjoyed the tranquility of running water, and constructed
waterfalls wherever he lived, even inside his apartment while at Indiana University.
A member of the Attica High School golf team, Tom enjoyed being on the golf course, maybe more
than the golf itself. Tom also loved a variety of music, especially music from the 1950’s, as
well as smooth jazz, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Andrea Bocelli and even Alice Cooper.
Tom was of the Christian faith, having committed his heart to the Lord, which showed in his kind,
patient, accepting, disciplined and non-critical demeanor. Loyal to friends and family, Tom found
comfort in the predictable and familiar, and yet he was not afraid to take calculated risks,
“coloring outside the lines,” and forging his own path to success. A generous man, Tom gave from
the heart and was blessed in return, bringing to mind the Bible verse in 2 Corinthians 9:6,
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously.”
He leaves his memories to be cherished by his wife of 50 years, Sharon Knowles; son, Jeff (Dustin
Haynes) Knowles; sister, Cynthia Barker; brother, Chris (Marcia McAllister) Knowles; nephew,
Charles (Lisa) Sims; niece, Julie (Lorri Medaugh) Brady and nephew, David (Jenn Fisher) Knowles.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pathway Church benevolence fund as an expression of
sympathy. It is our hope such funds will assist families for whom a funeral presents a significant
financial burden. Those interested in giving may mail a check or give online at: https:// pathwayvb. com/give/