Norman F Knowlton

Norman F. “Mickey” Knowlton, 94, of Port Huron Township, followed God’s light into the beautiful gates of heaven on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 to begin a new career.

He was born August 25, 1919 in Port Huron to the late Charles and Charlotte Knowlton. He started selling produce from his garden at the age of 10 and later met his wife, Agnes, at the local roller rink where he worked as a skate boy. They married on April 25, 1942 and he worked at the bomber plant in Ypsilanti.

Mickey served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He worked for Gannon’s Dairy, Wurzel’s Dairy and West Side Dairy as a home delivery milkman before starting his own distributorship with Twin Pines Dairy. In 1967, he started an ice manufacturing business, Party Time Ice Company, in his garage. He was 48 at the time and grew his ice business for over 38 years to include three manufacturing plants and several distribution areas throughout Michigan. At age 85, he started buying online and adding to his collection of historical ice and dairy artifacts for the Knowlton Ice Museum of North America which he had founded many years before. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him as a man of perseverance, integrity, humility and success.

Mickey was a member of Toastmaster’s International, Moose Lodge #158, B.P.O.E. Lodge #343 and Good Sam RV Club, was past president of the Great Lakes Ice Association and he served on the board of directors of the International Packaged Ice Association. In 1991, he was inducted into the Ice Industry Hall of Fame.

Mickey loved to travel with his wife and friends in their motorhomes each winter. He enjoyed his family, especially family gatherings and picnics in the backyard. He touched many lives throughout the years with his quick wit and sense of humor. He often gave dollar coins to people he met, including waitresses, children and nurses and anyone fortunate enough to receive one knew the kindness and quiet giving nature of this man.

He is survived by his adoring wife of 72 years, Agnes “Babe;” five children, Judy Knowlton, Chuck (Vicky) Knowlton, Bonnie Karl, Suzanne (Don) Barkhouse and Delbert Knowlton; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Katherine Rosalie Woods.

Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Thursday and 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Friday in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. A time for family and friends to share memories about Mickey will be held at 8:00 p.m. Friday.

Mr. Knowlton will lie in state from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2014 in St. Stephen Catholic Church. The Reverend Brian Cokonougher will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Port Huron Township. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County or St. Stephen Catholic Church.