Milton "Milt" Kniss

Bellaire- Milton “Milt” Duane Kniss, 71 a long time resident of Bellaire passed away at his home April 18, 2019 after a difficult battle with ALS. Born in Cadillac, Michigan on November 30, 1947, Milt graduated from Edwardsburg High School in Niles, Michigan in 1965.  After graduating from high school he was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the Vietnam War.

Upon return, he had a long successful career in the auto industry in which he toured worldwide while he and his wife resided overseas in both England and Germany. Retiring after 25 years from Dura Automotive Systems as President of the Control Systems Division, he continued his career as Executive Vice President of the Seating Systems Division with Commercial Vehicle Group from 2007-2010. From 2011- 2013 he continued his career at Precision Edge as Senior Project Manager and ended his career at Tolles Career and Technical  Center as a RAMTEC Coordinator in May of 2018 where he had the RAMTEC Center named in his honor. He was an advocate for alternative education for teens and young adults and was awarded the Golden Apple Award by the Boyne City School System for his dedication to vocational education.

Milt enjoyed many hobbies including traveling, spending time outdoors working on projects, boating, golfing, classic cars and reading.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Ruth Kniss of Kalkaska and survived by his loving wife, Chris of 41 years.  Milt is lovingly remembered by his children, Scott(Jenna)Maison of Fairhope, Alabama, Melissa(Jim) Luke of Bel Air, Maryland and Micki(Chris) Stevens of Plainfield, Indiana, eight grandchildren, Scotty, Lyla, Braeden, Henry, Eli, Alex, Vivian and Shelby, brothers, Rick and Lyle and sister, Ila plus countless friends and relatives.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Home with Fr. Chet Collins officiating.  Interment with Military Honors will follow in Lakeview Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Monday, April 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. also at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Milt's name can be given to the ALS Foundation http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Personal/General?px=8124153&pg=personal&fr_id=10045#.XLuDnLUpCEd .

Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.