Jean Black Knowlton

Jean Black Knowlton, a retired English teacher, active church member and huge supporter of her beloved family, died peacefully on March 23 at IU Health Hospice House. She was 91. Born on Oct. 21, 1927 in Cowley, Wyoming, Jean was one of eight children; as the eldest daughter, she helped raise her younger siblings. When the family moved to California so her father could work in a wartime shipyard, 15-year-old Jean was trusted enough to be sent by bus with two younger siblings. After the war she met James Q. Knowlton, an Army Air Force veteran and fellow student at Brigham Young University; they were soon married. They moved to Los Angeles as he earned his Ph.D. at UCLA, and eventually settled in Bloomington, where Jim was on the I.U. faculty and Jean earned her Master’s degree in English. She taught at Cloverdale High School before finding work closer to home, teaching successively at Smithville, Dyer Junior High and then Tri-North, where she remained until retirement. An active member of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Bloomington, Jean served on countless committees and formed many close and enduring friendships. Even past 90 she lived independently, drove, and played bridge – with typical zeal. Above all, she loved family time – whether playing Ping Pong, camping, boating or regaling in family reunions at Turkey Run. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim, brothers Harvey Black, Homer Black, Francis Black and Merrill Black, and grandson Michael Jad Morrison, M.D. She is survived by her brother, John (Argina) Black of Mesa, Arizona; by sisters Carol B. Mussler of Portland, Oregon, and Evelyn (Gerry) Scott of Draper, Utah; by sister-in-law Susan Easton Black (George Durrant) of Provo, Utah; by daughter Marsha (Kay) Park of Salt Lake City; by sons Kim (Karen) of Pocatello, Idaho; Brian (Connie) of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Scott (Malinda) of Bloomington; by nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Jean’s life will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on April 11 at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane. Flowers may be sent to the church or donations made to the church or to Habitat for Humanity.

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Jean Black Knowlton

October 21, 1927 - March 23, 2019