Margaret Knowlton

Margaret Knowlton: A Beautiful Life

Margaret (Humbert) Knowlton left us on December 7, 2022, after a long and fulfilling life of 91 years. She was most recently a resident of Givens Estates in Asheville, NC, and lived much of her adult life in Bellefontaine, OH, and Hilton Head, SC. A service is scheduled for Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 11:00 am, in the chapel at Givens Estates, Asheville, NC. Interment is private.

Peggy, as she was known, was born June 15, 1931, to Rev. M. Dale and Francis Elizabeth (Longston) Humbert in Ravenna, Ohio, and grew up in a number of towns in Ohio. One of the highlights of her youth and early adult life was serving as president of her Christian church denomination’s International Christian Youth Fellowship Commission, which afforded her the opportunity to travel extensively in the U.S. midwest, south, and Canada.

While earning a bachelor’s degree in religious education at Transylvania University (Lexington, KY), she met her first husband, Charles C. Spangler, who she married in August 1953. They had four children as she supported his ministries in a number of Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in Ohio. After Rev. Spangler’s death in 1973, she was blessed with a second marriage in 1974 to her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) W. Knowlton, who preceded her in death in March 2017. She and Dick shared many passions and avocations, including running an antique dealership which displayed and sold at shows throughout the eastern half of the U.S., taking advantage of travel opportunities, Ohio State football and its marching band, following the Cincinnati Bengals, and, most importantly, contributing their time and resources to their communities and their churches. Examples of her service include several years on the board of the Christian Church Foundation, including as its chair in 1985-86; several years as a teacher of release-time religious education in Bellefontaine, OH; serving on innumerable local church committees and boards in Bellefontaine, OH, and Hilton Head, SC; serving as a Stephen Minister in Ohio and South Carolina; and with her husband Dick providing the initial funds that allowed the restoration of the Holland Theatre in Bellefontaine, OH. Her last act of giving was to donate her body to a medical school.

Always gracious, warm, caring, smiling, generous of heart, and a servant leader. Truly a life of service. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” [Matthew 25:23]

She is survived by her four children, Diana Spangler-Crawford, Kim (Greg) Bachman, Michele (Darrel) Spangler Hodge, and David Spangler, a brother, John O. Humbert, grandchildren Matt, Chris, Lauren, Ben, Jackson, and Alison, and two great-grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly. She is survived by three step-sons, David (Barbara) Knowlton, Eric Knowlton, and Andy (Stacy) Knowlton, and their children Katie, Jack, Sam, Libby, Elle, and Chance, and one great-grandchild. Remembrances in her honor may be directed to the Dick and Peggy Knowlton Scholarship Fund, Ohio State University (fund number: 643755); or Resident Assistance Ministry, Givens Communities, givenscommunities.org. 

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