Gaylan Keith Knoblett

Gaylan K. Knoblett, age 72 of Bloomington passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at Indiana University Health Hospice House Sunday afternoon, August 31, 2014 after an almost 2 year battle with small cell lung cancer. Gaylan was born in Robinson, Illinois to Herbert Knoblett and Evelyn Cross Noblett, both whom have preceded him in death, and spent most of his life and school years in the Montezuma and Clinton, Indiana area. He was a graduate of Indiana State University, and after a short stint as a math and science teacher he turned his talents to retail management starting with Woolco Department Stores in Terre Haute in 1965. That same year he married his wife, the former Paula Andrews, of Clinton, Indiana. His career in retail management took the family to many parts of the country with several other retailers; Topps Discount Stores in 1970, Hills Department Stores in 1973, and Walmart in 1989. Gaylan and his family moved to Bloomington in 1981 when he was selected as the first store manager of the new Hills Department Store at Jackson Creek Shopping Center where he remained for 8 years. In 1989 he joined Walmart and worked in management at several stores before he was selected to be the first general manager of the new Bloomington Walmart which opened in January of 1994. He retired in 2004 after 15 years in management with various Walmart Stores. He enjoyed boating and fishing on Lake Monroe and owned several different boats in his lifetime. He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Knoblett of Dana, Indiana. He is survived by another brother Bill Knoblett of Clinton, Indiana, sister in law Carol Knoblett of Dana, Indiana and sister Vicki Holsapple of Delphi, Indiana. Gaylan leaves behind his wife of 49 years Paula; his son Gregory Knoblett of Clyde, Ohio; daughter Gayla Knoblett and her fiancé Dean Hogan of Knightstown, Indiana; grandson Cory Knoblett of Anderson, Indiana; granddaughter Megan Davis of Bloomington; sister in law and brother in law Debbie (Andrews) Crager and Jeff of Columbus, Ohio; sister in law Julie (Andrews) Panetti of Paris Illinois,; brother in law David Andrews of Hillsboro, Ohio, and several niewces and nephews. Calling will be from 1:00PM until 3:00PM, Friday September 5, 2014 at Allen Funeral Home 4155 South Old Highway 37, Bloomington, followed by a short memorial service at 3:00PM and cremation. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Indiana University Health Hospice House and or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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Gaylan Keith Knoblett

October 1, 1941 - August 31, 2014