Mrs. Gretchen M. (Carlton) Knox, age 96, of Vevay, Indiana, passed away at 9:17 p.m., Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the Gallatin Nursing & Rehab in Warsaw, Kentucky. She was born on July 19, 1924 near Caledonia in Jefferson County, Indiana. She was the daughter of Ernest “Beck” and Pauline (VanTyle) Carlton, both of whom preceded her in death. At the age of three months, her parents moved across the road into Switzerland County, Indiana. She grew up in the Caledonia and Moorefield communities. She attended grade school at St. Mary’s School and graduated from Vevay High School in 1942. She enjoyed sports, 4-H Club, school plays and loved animals. She loved to cook and entertain. After graduation, Gretchen worked at Coles Law Office and Bakes Insurance in Vevay, Indiana. On April 13, 1943, Gretchen was united in marriage to Charles Knox. After Charlie served four years in the army during World War II, they purchased a farm on Parks Ridge in 1946. There they had a Grade A dairy farm and raised tobacco, hay and large gardens. They worked together as a team for 51 years. They took a lot of pride in their farm, home and cattle and always had a welcome mat out for all the nieces, nephews, family and neighbor kids. Gretchen loved to cook, bake, can and sew as well as helping with all the farm work. She served as President of the Women’s Democrat Club for 15 years and ran an exercise class for six years in Vevay, Indiana. She was employed for Charlestown Powder Plant during World War II. She was employed for the Swiss Reducing Salon from 1980-1988. Gretchen served on the Switzerland County Health Board, Board of Directors for Switzerland County Housing, Democrat Precinct Committee Person and the Craig Township Precinct Election Board. Gretchen was a devout worker for the Democrat Party and was awarded the Lifetime Service Award on October 6, 2018. She served as a poll worker and absentee vote worker from 1946-2016. Gretchen was cited as Honorary Secretary of State in October 2008 for her lifelong dedication at the election polls. In 1947, she started her rooster collection and her house was decorated with roosters. They sold their farm in 1997 and moved to the Vevay community where their home was referred to as “the Democrat corner.” Gretchen was very proud of her rooster collection and loved her two dogs, Tiny and Teddy. She was a former member of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 Ladies Auxiliary and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a former member of the Caledonia United Presbyterian Church in Moorefield, Indiana. Gretchen was a member of the Switzerland Baptist Church where she was baptized in 2010. Gretchen will be lovingly remembered by her cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest “Beck” Carlton, died April 30, 1968 and Pauline (VanTyle) Carlton, died December 23, 1993 and her husband, Charles Knox, died July 24, 2008.
Due to COVID-19, masks are required along with social distancing. Friends may call 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 8, 2020, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Due to COVID-19, masks are required along with social distancing. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2020, by Rev. Mike Jones, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment will follow in the Vevay Cemetery, Vevay, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Switzerland County Emergency Response or Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com