Mr. Donald Lee Knowland, age 85, of Madison, Indiana, and formerly Fort Myers, Florida, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017, at King’s Daughters’ Hospital.

Born December 7, 1931, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, he was the son of William Thomas and Helen Marie (Akers) Knowland. Donald was a graduate of Jeffersonville High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master’s Degree in Music from Appalachian State University. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He returned home to start his teaching career. He was the band director in Dillsboro, Indiana, Versailles, Indiana, and was Head of the entire Music Department at Madison Consolidated Schools from 1962-1969. After this he went to work for the Indiana State Teachers Association and National Education Association until his retirement in 1990 as a Uniserv Director. He was known for his skill of negotiating teacher contracts and aiding teachers. He was beloved by many teachers and respected by school administrators with whom he worked.

Don enjoyed camping, traveling, boating, flower gardening and attending music concerts and was a huge IU Basketball fan. He started the Big Arts Community Band on Sanibel Island, Florida. He directed it for 13 years and the band grew in numbers exponentially under his leadership.

Don held membership in the Madison Presbyterian Church and when in Florida attended Sanibel Community Church. He belonged to the Hopewell #80 F &AM Masonic Lodge in Dillsboro, Indiana and was a lifelong member of the National Education Association and Indiana State Teachers Association.

Mr. Knowland will be missed by his loving wife of 62 years, Joan (Neff) Knowland, of Madison, his loving daughters, Lee Ann Knowland Cart of Madison, and Ellen Aldrich, of Dallas, Texas, his loving grandchildren, Lesley Miller of Madison, and Oran Cart of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, his adoring great granddaughters Claire and Kate Miller and Cora Cart, and a sister Peggy Wall of Jeffersonville. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The visitation will be on Sunday, September 24th from 2-4 at the Madison Presbyterian Church, 202 Broadway in Madison, Indiana and a memorial service to follow at 4:00 PM at the church.

Memorial contributions should go to the Madison Consolidated Schools Educational Foundation or to the Madison Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be made at the church or any Lytle Funeral Homes & Cremation Service locations.

Lytle Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Main Street Chapel, 423 West Main Street, Madison is in charge of arrangements.

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