Charles with grandchildren

~ Son Charles Thomas Minerd ~

Son Charles Thomas Minerd (1889-1953) was born on March 4, 1889 in Brownfield, Fayette County, PA.

He was joined in wedlock with Perie E. Monteith (Oct. 24, 1891-1976).

They bore a family of four children -- James Thomas Minerd, Alice Conn, Virginia Minerd and Charles Irvin "Bud" Minerd. 

He is seen here with his grandchildren, unwrapping presents at Christmas.

Charles registered for the World War I military draft in 1918, and stated his occupation as a driver in Mine 4 of the Baxter Ridge Coal & Coke Company. 

Two years later, when the federal census was taken, he and Perie and their three eldest children lived in Georges Township, Fayette County, where he was employed as a miner with the Trumell Coke Company.

Heartache rocked the young family on Jan. 12, 1916 when 13-month-old daughter Virginia died after contracting whooping cough and bronchial pneumonia. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier reported that the funeral was led by Rev. W.M. Bracken, and that burial followed in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smithfield. The little girl was photographed in her casket as a remembrance, perhaps the only image of her that exists. View the photo.

Charles also posed for a well-known photograph with friends at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad depot in Smithfield, leaning against a fence that surrounded a water pump, with the Barton Hotel in view at right. The depot building had a second-floor apartment. It fell into disuse over the years as local rail service declined, with only a few Chessie System steam engines passing by each day. The vintage image was  published in Marci Lynn McGuinness' 1996 book Yesteryear in Smithfield and Point Marion.

Charles and friends at the B&O Railroad depot in Smithfield. L-R: Cal Black, Guy Dills, Charley Wise, Polly Huhn, Pedro Morgan, Charles Minerd.Courtesy Diane Smith and the Smithfield PA Facebook page

Charles was a member of the Gallatin Lodge of the Odd Fellows, United Mine Workers of America (Dilliner local) and the Smithfield Methodist Church. In April 1929, his name was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier as one of 38 men who had taken the examination to become mine foremen. Among the questions on the exam: 

Name the non-explosive gases found in mines. Give their symbols and specific gravities. Where are they found? What are their effects on life and combustion? What will be the total pressure due to friction in an air-way six fee high, 10 feet wide, and 15,000 feet long, using .00000002 as the coefficient of friction; and what will be the reading of the water gauge? What dangers would you anticipate in a dry, dusty, non-gaseous mine? What precautions would you adopt in this class of mine to safe-guard the workmen? What are the principal causes of mine fire?

Yet Charles kept an emotional distance from his Minerd kin. Recalled his daughter many years later, "We were never too friendly with that side of the family. My dad didn't bother with his relatives. He was a loner where his family was concerned, except his immediate family." 

During World War II, the Minerds worried as their son Charles Irvin "Bud" Minerd and son-in-law Clarence William Conn both served in the armed forces.

Charles suffered for many years from hardening of the arteries and heart disease. He was stricken with a heart attack and passed away suddenly at their Woodbridge home at the age of 64 on July 16, 1953. His funeral was held in the Vance Funeral Home, Smithfield, led by Rev. Walter Lansberger of Beaver Falls, PA, assisted by C.L. Holmes. He was buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smithfield. 

Perie outlived Charles by 23 years. In September 1961, she hosted at her home a gathering for her pastor, Rev. H.L. Humbers, of the Woodbridge Union Church, who was celebrating his 84th birthday. Over the years, she was active with other social functions of the church, with her name appearing in related news stories. She endured the heartache of the untimely death of her son James Thomas in Cleveland in 1975.

She died in 1976, and rests beside her husband for eternity.

Daughter Alice Catherine Minerd (1907-2002) was born in 1907. On Aug. 29, 1934, when she was 30 years of age, and he 29, she married Clarence William Conn (1908-1987) of Fairchance. He was the son of Oren and Ida Conn. Their wedding ceremony was held in Springfield, Hampshire County, WV, by the hand of Methodist-Episcopal Church pastor Rev. John S. Schwartz. Clarence later served in the U.S. military during World War II. Alice was a graduate of California State Teachers College, now known as California University of Pennsylvania. She taught elementary education for 26 years, from the 1920s to the 1940s, at North Braddock near Pittsburgh and then at Pleasant Hill and York Run in Georges Township, Fayette County. Clarence died on June 9, 1987, and his remains were placed into rest in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smithfield. Alice outlived her husband by 15 years. She was interviewed in April 1992 by the founder of this website, seeking information about the family. Alice passed away at the age of 94, in Country Care Manor in Fayette City, Fayette County, on May 26, 2002.

Smithfield War Memorial

Son Charles Irvin "Bud" Minerd (1917-1988) was born on Sept. 19, 1916. He was a 1934 graduate of Georges Township High School. At the age of 19, Irvin took part in an important humanitarian mission when, after a thaw of winter ice in March 1936, the Pittsburgh region rivers flooded to emergency proportions. In response, he and Omer Moser drove a truckload of food, clothing and oil stove supplies to Wheeling, WV to provide for the needy. Then in 1939, he is known to have earned a living at the Kyle plant of H.C. Frick Coke Company. On July 22, 1939, in Clark County, VA, he was united in matrimony with Freda Kathryn Swaney ( ? -2015), daughter of Ray Swaney. The wedding was officiated by Methodist Church pastor Rev. L.O. Luttrell and made public in the Uniontown Morning Herald, which said "The wedding announcement ... comes as a surprise to the many friends of the Smithfield couple..." They went on to bear one daughter together, Marla Gene Barnhart. The newlyweds made their first home in the Morgan Apartments on Water Street in Smithfield. During World War II, Bud served as a first sergeant with the 124th Army Air Corps. He trained at Fort Lewis, WA and during that time Freda traveled to see him over a period of three months' time. Eventually he was shipped overseas to the European Theatre, where he served in England, France, Holland and Germany. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 30, 1945. Freda was an alumna of Georges Township High and studied at California State Teachers College. She went on to a long career as a teacher in the Smithfield-Fairchance area. After returning home, Bud was a member of the Smithfield United Methodist Church [and] the Gleaners Sunday School Class," said a Uniontown newspaper. Their address was Box 380, Smithfield. Irvin's name again was in local newspapers in August 1956 when he was named to a committee in Smithfield to study the potential for increasing property valuations for tax purposes. Freda is known in 1959 to ave been on a Mothers March of Dimes committee locally. In 1964, Irvin helped petition the Fayette County Court to grant a charter to form the Smithfield Methodist Church, serving on a committee with Daniel Collieer, Robert K. Hughs, Leslie Miller, L.D. Ramsey, Paul Hayden, Charles Knight, William Britt and Willis Smith. Bud died on July 7, 1988, at the age of 71, at their residence in Smithfield. His name appears in bronze on the World War II memorial in Smithfield, and is pictured in the book Young American Patriots, World War II, Pennsylvania.  Freda outlived her husband by 26-plus years and remained in Fairchance. Freda is mentioned in the book, Fairchance Through the Years. In 2000, she attended a presentation by the founder of this website at Smithfield's "Celebrate the Centuries" bicentennial event and provided valuable information for this biography. At the age of 96, she passed away at home on Jan. 15, 2015.

• Granddaughter Marla Gene Minerd (1948- ? ) was born in about 1948. At her third birthday, she was recognized in the Uniontown Morning Herald. She was joined in wedlock with (?) Barnhart ( ? - ? ).
  
  

Tom Minerd and sons, mid-1970s. Courtesy Mary Gene (Malone) Minerd

Tom Minerd

Son James Thomas "Tom" Minerd (1910-1975) was born in 1910 in Fayette County. He married Mary "Gene" Malone ( ? -2014). The two sons born to this union were -- Charles E. Minerd and Thomas I. "Tim" Minerd. The family lived in Smithfield and later moved to Cleveland. Tom was a longtime coal miner. When he was age 23, in October 1935, Tom and Ernest Malone are known to have traveled to Cleveland to view a baseball doubleheader between the St. Louis Browns and Cleveland Indians, a news item printed in the Uniontown Daily News Standard. He passed away at the age of 65 on Oct. 28, 1975 in Sinai Hospital in Cleveland. In the program booklet for the funeral service was written: "J.T. was his own man in every way -- and always was. He was opinionated on all subjects and well informed on many. He cherished his family and friends in a way no one would guess. When he smiled, he made the day begin for those around him, and when he yelled, his loved ones knew it was all in jest. He believed in God, and never once lost his faith. He was married to the same woman for 38 years and one long summer and liked to brag about it." His body was donated to Case Western Reserve Medical School for research. Mary Gene and her family attended our reunion circa 2000. Sadly, she endured the untimely death of her son Charles in 2006. She moved to Tucson, AZ where her son Thomas and his family had relocated. She passed away there on Oct. 22, 2014. 

Seen here, Tom and Mary Gene Minerd hiking in the woods at a time when he was not working during a coal miners' strike.

• Grandson Charles E. Minerd (1941-2006) was born in 1941. He was a longtime teacher with the Woodland Hills School District near Pittsburgh. Reported the Valley Independent, "In his early hears, he was the youngest Eagle Scout in the state of Pennsylvania. He was a former assistant varsity baseball coach for the Churchill School District, head football coach at Wilkins Junior High School and a youth baseball coach at Charleroi." He was mentioned as a "lovable history teacher" in the Nov. 18, 1998 edition of the InPittsburgh Newsweekly newspaper, in a story entitled "Ricki & Me." He married Rosemarie (DuJordan) Doerfler (1937-2014), daughter of Henry and Julia (Hega) DuJordan Sr. Rosemarie had been married once before and brought two children to the marriage -- Gregg Doerfler and Jody Cheplic. Rosemarie served on the Charleroi (PA) Planning Commission and was active with the Mary , Mother of the Church; Charleroi Goodwill Club; American Cancer Society's Relay for Life; the Make-a-Wish Committee; classic car shows; the Charleroi Youth Baseball League; and the Superstars. Charles passed away on Jan. 7, 2006, at the age of 65. Rosemarie survived her husband by eight years, residing in Charleroi. Said the Valley Independent, she "loved the Steelers, John Wayne cowboy movies, family dinners and holidays." She passed away at the age of 76 on Nov. 2, 2014. Following a funeral service, the remains were interred in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. At her death, she was survived by three grandchildren.

Step-great-grandson Gregg "Dorf" Doerfler wed Roberta Williamson, daughter of William and Nancy Williamson. They bore a son, Brett A. Doerfler. The family has made a home in Charleroi, PA. They were plunged into grief when their son Brett, a cook at several local restaurants, died at age 32 on Oct. 16, 2021. His obituary said he had been "active in wrestling and track in high school and was passionate about his artwork and tattoos. He was the bass player in his band, The Failsafe, and enjoyed camping with his grandma Nancy at Chestnut Ridge."

Step-great-granddaughter Jody Doerfler Cheplic

• Grandson  Thomas I. "Tim" Minerd ( ? -living) married Sandy Mollet ( ? -living), daughter of Victor Mollet of Maryland. They together bore three daughters -- Jennifer I. Minerd, Jessica Banhie and Maggie Gedebou. They resided in Richmond, VA in the early 1970s. Grief blanketed the young family when daughter Jennifer died at the age of two on Oct. 12, 1973. Her tender remains were placed into eternal sleep in Signal Hill Cemetery. Later, they moved to Silver Spring, MD, , where Tim served as director of community development for Montgomery County, MD, a prominent suburb of Washington, DC. In this role, he often was quoted in newspaper articles, including the Washington Post, among others. In about 1999, Tim and Sandy had dinner in Washington, DC with the founder of this website. After retirement, they moved to Tucson, AZ.

Great-granddaughter Jessica "Jess" Minerd - On April 18, 1998, she wed Didier Banhie. They have three offspring. She has studied at the University of Arizona and has been employed by the Tucson Unified School District and Sahuarita Unified School District.

Great-granddaughter Maggie Minerd has studied special education and rehabilitation at the University of Arizona. She married (?) Gedebou and is the mother of two.

~ Son Wade Lorenzo Minerd ~

Wade and Sarah Minerd

Son Wade Lorenzo  Minerd (1897-1966) was born on Aug. 9, 1897 in Uniontown, Fayette County, PA.

He stood 5 feet, 7½ inches tall in manhood, and weighed 150 lbs. His eyes and hair were brown, and he was dark-complected. He carried a scar on his left cheek.

Circa 1916, at the age of 19, Wade and Nettie Price ( ? - ? ) produced a baby daughter. Sadly, the baby died at birth on May 5, 1916 and was never named. The tender remains were buried in Fairchance's White Rock Cemetery.

In time, Wade was joined in wedlock with Sarah Elizabeth Farr (1895-1977), the daughter of William and Ella (McLean) Farr of Dunbar, Fayette County, PA. 

In an interesting twist, Sarah's first cousin Nellie Fullem married Wade's cousin George Theodore Minerd Sr. (of the family of James William Minerd, also of Dunbar).

Wade registered for the military draft during World War I, and listed his employer as Rich Hill Coal and Coke Company of Outcrop, PA. They resided at the time in Clarksville, Greene County, PA.

The Minerds together produced a brood of 10 children -- Lawrence "Dean" Minerd, Ralph Lorenza Minerd, William Byron Minerd, Frances Rae Hall, Thomas Minerd, Clifford John "Tip" Minerd, Winona Lee Robbins, Charles Delbert Minerd, Layvonne "Bonnie" Dayton Watson and Margery Irene Powers Heisser.

Obituary, 1966

A newspaper once said that Sarah "was a housewife and had resided at Clarksville for ... 46 years. She was a charter member of the United Missionary Church at Clarksville."

The 44-year-old Wade was required to register for the military draft during World War II, as were some of his sons. He disclosed that his employer was Emerald Coal and Coke Company at Poland, Greene County.

During the war, four of their sons served in the U.S. Army -- Clifford, Ralph, William and Thomas Minerd. While in the army, having not seen each other for nearly four years, their son Ralph was digging a foxhole in France one day when to his great surprise his brother Thomas drove up in a jeep. "Even though their visit was short," said a newspaper, "it will be one long remembered, they stated in letters home." 

Wade suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many years and was wheelchair bound.

He died on May 5, 1966 at the age of 69. Burial was in Greene County Memorial Park, with an obituary published in the Waynesburg newspaper.

Sarah survived Wade by 11 years and made her home in House 43, Teegarden Homes in Clarksville. Sadly, she also outlived three of her adult children -- Frances, Dean and William.

She passed away at the age of 81, at Greene County Memorial Hospital, on April 2, 1977. At her death, she was survived by 31 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Greene County Memorial Park.

Dean Minerd

Son Lawrence "Dean" Minerd (1914-1973) was born in Aug. 16, 1914 in Smithfield, Fayette County. At the age of 20, on Dec. 6, 1934, he married 18-year-old Della Caroline Paci (March 4, 1916-1994), the daughter of Luigi "Lewis" and Josephine (Furmani) Paci, all of whom were immigrants from Ascoli Piceno, Provincia di Ascoli Piceno, Italy. The couple established a residence in Clarksville, Greene County, a community in which they spent the entirety of the balance of their lives. They produced four children -- Jean Szopo, Louise Salko, Dean Lawrence "Bud" Minerd Jr. and William Emil "Bill" Minerd. Dean was a longtime coal miner, employed by Hillman Coal and Coke Company, and held the position of weighmaster circa 1940. He also belonged to the United Mine Workers of America, where he was a member of Chartiers Local 6330. Dean was active in the community, serving on the Morgan School District board at a time when it combined into the Jefferson-Morgan Joint School District board of directors and oversaw the completion of a new building. He also was a volunteer with the Clarksville Volunteer Fire Company. He suffered from black lung disease from his many years in the coal mines, and died at the age of 59 on Aug. 19, 1973. His remains were taken for interment to Greene County Memorial Park. Della outlived him by 21 years. Said the Beaver County (PA) Times, she "was a houseparent at the Youth Development Center, Waynesburg, from where she retired in 1981, and had also been a waitress in different area restaurants. She had spent most of her life in the Clarksville area and in the Burson Plan area since 1944. She was a member of the St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church, Clarksville; the Clarksville Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary, and the State Employees Retirement System." She passed into eternity on March 25, 1994, at the age of 78. Della's funeral mass was celebrated at St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church of Clarksville, followed by interment beside her husband. In 1996, when G. Wayne Smith's book History of Greene County Pennsylvania was published, Dean was mentioned in connection with his work on the Jefferson-Morgan School Board.

Della (Paci) Minerd (2nd from right) with her Italian immigrant parents Luigi and Josephine (Furmani) Paci and siblings. Courtesy John Salko.

• Granddaughter Jean E. Minerd (1935-2022) was born on June 22, 1935 in Chartiers, Greene County. In about 1956, at the age of 21, Jean wed Louis Steven "Steve" Szopo (1934-2013). Their marriage endured for 57 years until cleaved apart by the Grim Reaper. The couple produced three children -- Carolyn Kittner, Robert Szopo and Thomas Szopo. The family resided for many years in White Township near Beaver Falls, Beaver County, PA. Lou served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. During his working career, he was employed by Babcock & Wilcox, Gross Furniture and NAPA Auto Parts. Said the Beaver County Times, he was "an avid golfer and a member of the Beaver Falls Owls Club." Jean earned income as a custodian for the Beaver Falls School District and attended St. Mary's Catholic Church. He died at the age of 78 on Feb. 15, 2013. Jean outlived her husband by nine years. She was a people-person and a passionate card player. As her health failed, she went to live in Cambridge Village, and passed away there at age 86 on May 2, 2022. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Saint Monica Catholic Academy Angel Fund. 

  Great-granddaughter Carolyn Szopo married (?) Kittner.

  Great-grandson Robert Szopo wed Janet.

  Great-grandson Thomas Szopo 

• Louise Salko  Courtesy John W. Salko

  Granddaughter Louise Della Minerd (1936-2005) was born on June 27, 1936 in the Chartiers neighborhood of Clarksville. On June 30, 1956, at the age of 20, she married 24-year-old Korean War veteran John "Jack" Salko (Feb. 12, 1931-1985), son of Frank and Mildred (Galanka) Salko of Clarksville. They were the parents of four children -- Marla Jean Salko, Tristina Louise "Tina" Salko, Jacquie Manches and John William Salko. The family dwelled in Clarksville's Williamstown section and were longtime members of St. Thomas Catholic Church. For 26 years, Jack was a salesman for Gross Furniture Company of nearby Fredericktown. He belonged to the Cole Hanson Post of Fredericktown's American Legion. On May 20, 1985, Jack suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to Greene County Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Louise outlived him by about 19 years. Sadly, she grieved again when their daughter Marla Jean died on Nov. 15, 1991, a new mother at the age of 34. Following an accident in her home in about 2002, Louise was admitted as a resident of Laurel Ridge Nursing Home. There, at the age of 68, she passed away on Jan. 27, 2005. Her remains were placed in eternal repose in Greene County Memorial Park, following a mass of Christian burial led by Rev. Paul E. Grunebach at the family church.

  Great-granddaughter Marla Jean Salko ( ? - ? ) 

  Great-granddaughter Tristina Louise "Tina" Salko ( ? - ? ) 

  Great-granddaughter Jacquie Salko ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with (?) Manches ( ? - ? )  

  Great-grandson John William Salko ( ? -living) graciously has contributed content for this biography.

Fredericktown, PA

• Grandson Dean Lawrence "Bud" Minerd Jr. (1939-2014) was born on Dec. 30, 1939 in Chartiers, Washington County. He married four times -- to Jan Mollissey, Joanne Tennant Barclay, Janice Stark and Maureen Brady -- but did not reproduce. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Circa 1972, Dean was employed with Fuchhart-Fuellhart-Rowland Communications Construction, Inc, and also worked a supervisor for several other cable television companies. He also labored as a coal miner at Chartiers Mine and was employed in sales for Paletta Ford in Fredericktown. Said a newspaper, "For several years he was the manager for the traveling league women's softball team sponsored by the Jefferson Hotel. He was an avid sports fan and loved animals." He died at the age of 74 on Oct. 17, 2014 in Advanced Personal Care, Clarksville.

• William E. Minerd

  Grandson William Emil "Bill" Minerd Sr. ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He was united in holy matrimony with Kay Cecchini ( ? - ? ), daughter of Natale and Katy (Packrall) Cecchini of the Fredericktown-Millsboro area of Washington County. As was his brother in law John "Jack" Salko, Bill was employed by Gross Furniture Company in Fredericktown, Washington County, circa 1967. The Minerds have borne three children -- William Emil Minerd Jr., Gina Marie Zibrida and Christopher Minerd. Over the years, they have made a home in Denbo Heights and Milford Terrace, part of Millsboro, Fayette County. The family grieved in April 1988 when Kay's brother, a Beth-Center high school teacher, was killed when a tractor he was using to remove a tree stump flipped and crushed his body.

Great-grandson William Emil Minerd Jr. ( ? - ? )

Great-granddaughter Gina Marie Minerd ( ? - ? ) wed (?) Zibrida ( ? - ? ).

Great-grandson Christopher Minerd ( ? -living) has spent his career in high school athletics. For eight years, he served as girls basketball coach at California (PA High School and in January 2017 achieved his 100th victory for the Trojans. For six of those years, from 2014 to 2020, he also held the role as athletic director. His position was eliminated in July 2020, and in July 2021 he was hired as full-time athletic director for Waynesburg (PA) Central High School. He took on added duties as girls basketball coach at Waynesburg Central in June 2022, with related coverage in the Washington Observer-Reporter.

Above: Della (Paci) Minerd at a ladies auxiliary gathering, 1965, standing 2nd from right, back row. Below: Della (center) with her daughters Jean (left) and Louise.

Brothers William (top), Ralph (left), Thomas Minerd

Son Ralph Lorenza "Frecks" Minerd (1917-1996) was born prematurely on April 7, 1917 in Smithfield, Fayette County. As a boy, he survived a shooting in the face and neck, carrying a scar on his right cheek for the rest of his life. He stood 5 feet, 8½ inches tall, and weighed 155 lbs. During World War II, he was required to register for the military draft, and disclosed that he dwelled in Clarksville, PA and earned a living working for Republic Iron and Steel Company in the town. Then on June 28, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Meade, MD. Ralph was part of the Sicily, North Africa and Southern France invasions as a member of the 62nd Anti-Aircraft Battalion and later the 409th Infantry Division, attached to the Seventh Army as an infantry rifleman. He wounded "somewhere in Germany" -- an artillery shell shrapnel wound fracturing his knee -- on March 21, 1945, less than a month before the war ended. The Uniontown Morning Herald reported that he was "participating in an attack on a series of pillbox positions at the southern anchor of the German Siegfried Line." The article quoted him saying "We had to outflank the pillboxes and send up bazooka men to blast the rear doors... Then we rushed the communications trenches which linked the boxes and captured a number of Germans. The Germans laid in a barrage of artillery to soften us up and their infantry was advancing under this. We repulsed that attack fairly easily as we held commanding positions. I was hit when a shell exploded in front of me." His parents were notified by the War Department, and Ralph's photograph and related news article were published in a local newspaper. He received his honorable discharge on Oct. 10, 1945 at Indiantown Gap, PA. He received a Purple Heart and seven Bronze Stars for his military service. He once claimed to have marched from North Africa to Italy during the invasion. Ralph was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Sophie Margaret Wunder (1918-1989), the daughter of John Phillip Wunder of Fredericktown. Sophie's father, a longtime coal miner, wrote poetry, and in fact in 1922 had submitted two of his choicest selections to the United Mine Workers Journal, but received a rejection from the editor on the basis that there was no space on the pages to devote to poetry. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, the family dwelled in Youngstown, Mahoning County, OH, with Ralph employed in steel mill as a millwright helper. That year, Ralph's younger brother Clifford dwelled in the household, also working at a local steel mill as a boiler repairman. Their address in 1950 was 3237 Loveland Road. The Minerds migrated in the early 1950s to Chicago. They became the parents of five children -- Michael Rogan Minerd, Patrick Wade Minerd, Sarah Marie Potter, Margaret Rose "Peggy" Konieczny and Mary Lorene Zemaitis Speegle. Their home was in Burbank, Cook County, IL. Sadly, Margaret died on June 30, 1989. Ralph survived his wife by more than seven years. He succumbed from the effects of an aortic aneurysm on Nov. 22, 1996, at the age of 82. They rest at Mt. Auburn Memorial Park in Stickney, IL. Minerd and Wunder descendants held their first reunion in the Chicago area on June 26, 2010.

• Michael Minerd and son Tim

  Grandson Michael Rogan Minerd (1953-2005) was born on July 17, 1953 in Chicago. He was married to Mary ( ? -living). Together, the couple produced three sons -- Timothy Andrew Minerd, Brian A. Minerd and Kevin Minerd. Michael earned a living over the years as a sheet metal worker and machinist. At one point, he helped in a project with the scoreboard at old Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox. Mary attended St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy and was a nursing student at Elgin Community College. Circa 1989, he made his home in Vinemont, AL. He attended the Catholic church. Circa 2005, he dwelled in Murfreesboro, TN. Tragically, on Dec. 15, 2005, battling depression, he took his own life at the age of 52, on the 14th anniversary of his brother Patrick's death. An obituary was published in the Chicago Tribune and the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal. Mary used the name "Giuliani" in 2022.

  Great-grandson Timothy Andrew Minerd (1974-2022) was born on Jan. 22, 1974 in Chicago. He was married twice. He and his first wife, Patty ( ? - ? ), were the parents of Maranda Allen, Amber Scott, Melissa Lee Williams, Carl King and Leslie Marksch. With girlfriend Leigh Kilgore ( ? - ? ), he became the father of Sydnee Minerd and possibly also Kennedy and Drew. Then on Oct. 31, 2016, he wed Charie Annie (Urban) McMannamy ( ? - ? ). Their marriage was officiated by Rev. James Gafford in Rutherford County, TN. Two more daughter born to the pair were Jewel "Juju" Minerd and Shotsy Minerd. Other children and stepchildren in the extended family were Orin Urban, Summer Ragsdale, Falisha Rome and Travis Urban. Timothy was a passionate fan of the Chicago Bears and Alabama Crimson Tide football teams. He loved attending rock concerts and singing karaoke. He and Charie made their home in 2019 was in Manchester, TN. Tragically, Charie contracted breast cancer and passed away on April 3, 2019. Timothy outlived his wife by three years and, circa 2022, was engaged to marry Patty Minerd. But heartbreak descended again on this family on the fateful day of Oct. 21, 2022. While on his way to work, Timothy was badly injured in a head-on automobile collision. He was life flighted to Chattanooga, TN and treated at Erlanger Health System for seven broken ribs and a collapsed lung. While in surgery, doctors discovered stage 4 cancer of his stomach. The cancer quickly spread, and he died on Nov. 9, 2022, at the age of 48. His remains were cremated. His offspring have placed some of his ashes in a crypt at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Tullahoma, and in July 2023 scattered some at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, and some on the warning track of the White Sox home ballpark, Guaranteed Rate Field, formerly called Comiskey Park and U.S. Cellular Field.

  Great-grandson Brian A. Minerd ( ? -living) wed April ( ? - ? ) and in 2019 to Ashley ( ? - ? ). He is believed to be the father of Aiyanna Minerd, Cierra McCurdy and Brandon Minerd.

  Great-grandson Kevin Minerd entered into marriage with Amanda. 

Some of the attendees at a reunion of the Ralph Lorenzo Minerd family at the Konieczny home in Chicago, June 2010.

• Grandson Patrick Wade Minerd (1954-1991) was born on Oct. 13,  1954. He married Karen Patterson ( ? -living). Their children were Courtney Howell, Rebecca "Becky" Cantrell and Amy Horton. Sadly, Patrick took his own life on Dec. 15, 1991. 

  Great-granddaughter Courtney wed (?) Howell.

  Great-granddaughter Rebecca "Becky" Minerd was joined in wedlock with (?) Cantrell. 

  Great-granddaughter Amy Minerd (1973-2018) was born in 1973. She was twice-married. Her first husband was (?) Horton and Godfrey Karuri ( ? -living). She had three offspring. At the age of 44, Amy died at home in Norcross, GA on March 20, 2018. Burial was in Ider, AL.

• Sarah and Dennis Potter

  Granddaughter Sarah Marie Minerd (1956-2012) was born on the Fourth of July 1956 in Chicago. She was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Dennis James Potter (Oct. 28, 1953-1979). Together, the couple produced a family of two daughters, Tammy Lorene Dickey and Lynn Marie Connell. The couple divorced in 1978. Tragically, 11 months later, on his 26th birthday on Oct. 28, 1979, Dennis was a victim of a random shooting, killed point blank by a shotgun wound to the chest, outside of a restaurant, by someone he did not know. His remains were placed into eternal repose in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park near Chicago. Sarah outlived her husband by many years and did not remarry. She resided in Cullman, AL in the 2010s and graciously provided valuable content for this biography. Suffering from a serious illness, she was admitted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital where she died at the age of 55 on Jan. 25, 2012. Burial was in Ebenezer Cemetery with Rev. Steve Britt officiating at the funeral service, with Wesley Barbee, Patrick Flanagan, Matt Hallmark, John Dickey, Allen Connell and Ky Connell serving as pallbearers. The Cullman Times printed an obituary.

  Great-granddaughter Tammy Lorene Potter (1974- ? ) was born in 1974. She wed (?) Dickey ( ? - ? ). She is the mother of Anthony Scott Potter and Megan Rose Dickey. 

  Great-granddaughter Lynn Marie Dickey married (?) Connell ( ? - ? ). She has a stepson Ky Connell and a son Leo Xavier Connell. 

• Granddaughter Margaret Rose "Peggy" Minerd (1958-living) was born in 1958. She entered into marriage with Casey Konieczny ( ? - ? ). Her two known daughters are Amanda Leigh Konieczny and Ashley Konieczny.

• Granddaughter Mary Lorene Minerd (1960-living) was born in 1960. She was twice married. Her first spouse was Algirdis Zemaitis ( ? - ? ). The three daughters they produced together were Samantha Leigh Hallmark, Stacie Marie Woods and Sarah Elizabeth Barbee. Later, she was joined in holy wedlock with Robert Speegle ( ? - ? ). Mary graciously has provided a wealth of family history material about her branch for this website, and in 2019 attended our national family reunion in Donegal, PA.

  Great-granddaughter Samantha Leigh Zemaitis married Matthew Hallmark.

  Great-granddaughter Stacie Marie Zemaitis wed Wes Woods.

  Great-granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth Zemaitis was united in matrimony with (?) Barbee.

Ralph Minerd World War II clipping, and Margaret

Son William Byron Minerd (1920-1974) was born on May 3, 1920 in Smithfield, Fayette County. He was 5 feet,  9½ inches tall and weighed 145 lbs. William resided in Clarksville, Greene County, PA and later relocated to Youngstown, Mahoning County, OH. At the age of 21, during World War II, he was required to register for the military draft. He revealed that he was employed as a coal miner by Republic Steel Company at its works in Fredericktown. He served in the conflict as a U.S. Army private with the 38th Engineers. He was shipped overseas in February 1942 and "spent seven months at secret bases," said a newspaper. "He later spent 19 months in Belgium Congo, Africa, after which he was sent to England until D-Day, when he participated in the invasion." William returned home safely upon the war's conclusion. He married Theodora "Dora" Triantafilos (1924-2003). They had eight children -- Sandra Freedman, Frances "Francie" Freedman, Marilyn Minerd, James Minerd, Thomas Minerd, Charles T. Minerd, Chris Minerd and John Minerd. William and Dora divorced in Mahoning County in October 1970. He suffered from lymphoma and died at the age of 53 on Jan. 10, 1974, in Youngstown's St. Elizabeth Hospital, following a brief illness. He is buried at Belmont Park Cemetery in Youngstown. Said to have been very sickly as an adult, she outlived William by nearly 30 years, and died at the age of 79 on Dec. 9, 2003. 

• Grandson Charles T. Minerd ( ? - ? ) wed Kathy Franke. They lived in Boardman, Mahoning County, and had two known daughters, Carley Minerd and Karen Minerd. Sadly, daughter Carley (1991-1996) died at the age of four on Aug. 4, 1996, before she could receive a transplant for an ailing heart.

• Grandson James Wade "The Breeze" Minerd ( ? -living) was born in (?). He is believed to have married Debra Ann Kepics (July 15, 1953-2020), the daughter of Frank "Bubba" and Connie Kepics of Youngstown, Mahoning County. The children born to this couple were James Minerd, Venessa Garltic, Lisa Fox, Tara Minerd-Howley and Heather Shultz. Debra was employed for more than 14 years by Shepherd of the Valley Hospice and Hospice of the Valley as a hospice coordinator. The couple divorced. Debra spent her final years in Poland, OH and passed away at the age of 66 on Feb. 3, 2020. An obituary said that she was survived by 14 grandchildren. Interment was in Resurrection Cemetery.

Daughter Frances Rae Minerd (1922-1976) was born on Nov. 3, 1922 in Smithfield. At the age of 27, on June 12, 1950, she eloped to Winchester, VA to married 31-year-old John Edward Hall Sr. ( ? - ? ). (Other sources give the marriage date as July 10, 1947.) Local Presbyterian minister Rev. J.S. Duckwall officiated. John was the son of Edward and Myrtle (Wilson) Hall and worked as a millwright at the time of marriage. They resided on Oak Street Extension in New Bedford, OH and had four children -- John Hall, Holly Quinn, William Hall and Sharon "Sherry" Manchester. They were members of the church of Christ of Girard, OH. Sadly, son John II lost his life in an automobile accident in October 1974, when his car rolled over an embankment. Frances passed away in her home on Oct. 6, 1976, at the age of 53. Her obituary was published in the New Castle (PA) News, and perhaps other newspapers. Following a funeral led by Rev. Robert Johnston of the family church, she was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery in New Bedford.

• Grandson John Hall II was killed in October 1974 in an automobile accident.

• Granddaughter Holly Hall married (?) Quinn

• Grandson William Hall

• Granddaughter Sharon "Sherry" Hall wedded (?) Manchester.

Son Thomas Minerd (1925-1985) was born on Feb. 21, 1925. He joined in the military in June 1942 at age 17 during World War II. He was a member of the 79th Infantry Division of Patch's Seventh Army, a unit commended "for making the fastest progress (1800 yards in 72 hours) of any infantry division in warfare," reported a newspaper. "Also awarded a citation for their skill near Strasbourg, the unit was the first to cross the Seine River and the Belgium border. First stationed in England, he participated in the D-Day invasion and fought in the battle for Cherbourg. Moving on across France, he fought in several battles under General Patton." After the war, Thomas labored as a coal miner in Clarksville, Greene County, PA. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary Jane Weston (1927- ? ), daughter of Albert and Margaret (Wells) Weston and a native of Orient, Fayette County. Their wedding was held in Winchester, VA on July 2, 1948 by the hand of Rev. J.S. Duckwall. They made a home in Youngstown, Mahoning County, OH and had two children -- Linda McClary and Lynn Delmark. The couple divorced on Aug. 8, 1978, and Thomas made a home at 7053 West Boulevard. Then on May 13, 1981, in nuptials held in Winchester, VA, Thomas wed Ruth Esther "Tic" (Haines) Bailey (June 18, 1924-2017). She was a native of Greene Township, Greene County, PA and the daughter of James Irwin and Mary (Waychoff) Haines. She had three children from a previous marriage to George M. Bailey -- Gerald M. Bailey, Denzil Bailey and Lisa Hess. They made their home Youngstown, where Thomas lived from 1949 to 1981. He was a longtime employee of Republic Steel Corporation, and an honorary member of United Steelworkers of America Local 1331. He later relocated to Florida, making his home in Gainesville, Alachua County. Thomas passed away there, of an aortic aneurysm, at the age of 60 on Feb. 28, 1985, with  his obituary published in the Youngstown Vindicator. Ruth survived her husband by 32 years. Said the Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter, "She worked at the former youth development center as a house parent for 20 years and sold Avon products for about 15 years and had made many friends on her routes. She hunted deer most of her life on the farm, where she killed several doe. She killed her first and only buck at the age of 82 and quit hunting at 85, but was still eager to know how everyone did hunting." She spent her final years in Carmichaels, Greene County and was admitted as a patient to Waynesburg Health and Rehabilitation Center. She died there at the age of 92 on Jan. 2, 2017. Her remains were donated to science.

• Daughter Lynn Minerd married (?) McClary and resided in Cleveland, OH.

• Daughter Linda Minerd wed (?) Delmark and made her home in 1985 in Gainesville.

Clifford "Tip" Minerd

Son Clifford John "Tip" Minerd (1926-1990) was born on July 24, 1926 or on Sept. 7, 1927 in the coal mining patch town of Dilliner, Greene County, PA, a small community along the Monongahela River to the northwest of Point Marion. In adulthood he stood 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighed 130 lbs. He had brown eyes, brown hair and a light, freckled complexion. At the age of 18, in 1944, he was required to register for the military draft during World War II. He disclosed that he was residing in Pitt Gas near Clarksville, Greene County and was unemployed and that his mother would always know his whereabout. He eventually joined the Army as a member of the 271st Infantry Division. He enlisted in August 1944, received basic training at Camp Wheeler, GA, and was sent to Europe in January 1945. He was stationed in Germany toward the end of the conflict. Once returning home, he stayed in Uniontown for several years. In the fall of 1949, he and some Uniontown friends got into some trouble with the law for speeding and "misuse of license plates," reported the Connellsville Daily Courier. Later, Clifford relocated to Chicago, where on Jan. 30, 1954, at the age of 26, he married 33-year-old Clara Strozyk (Aug. 7, 1921-2013), daughter of Lawrence and Frances Strozyk. The marriage endured for 36 years. They established a home in North Little Rock, AR, and resided there for many years. The Minerds did not reproduce. Clara was a longtime member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and its Rosary Sodality and Altar Society. At the age of 63, Clifford died in Little Rock on Dec. 14, 1990 and was buried at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery in Little Rock. Clara survived her husband by 23 years and remained in Little Rock. She was carried away by death on Sept. 18, 2013. A mass of Christian burial was held in the family church, with interment in the church cemetery.

Daughter Winona Lee "Winnie" Minerd (1930-2022) was born on Aug. 27, 1930 near Clarksville in Chartiers, Washington County, PA. She relocated to New Jersey at the age of 19 and obtained employment as a selector with Owens-Illinois Glass Company. There, she met her future husband. When she was 20 years of age, she eloped to Winchester, VA on Dec. 22, 1950 to wed 22-year-old stockroom clerk Richard W. Robbins (Feb. 10, 1930-2004), son of George and Martha (Bennett) Robbins of Camden. NJ. Performing the ceremony was local Presbyterian minister Rev. Ronald S. Wilson. Their marriage endured for a remarkable 54 years. Together the pair bore one daughter -- Karin Robbins. Circa 1959, the Robbinses moved to Upper Deerfield Township near Bridgeton, NJ. Winona continued to work for Owens-Illinois until the closure of the plant in 1984. Richard is known to have served in the U.S. Air Force. Said an obituary, Winona "enjoyed hosting family and friends and their children, in her home and by her pool, where she loved to teach children how to swim, as well as hosting summer BBQs. She also enjoyed spending many hours, alongside her husband, family and friends fishing on their boats, 'Winona,' 'Winona II' and 'Karin' at Great Bay Marina, Bree-Zee-Lee Marina in Cape May and Bay Point Marina." Sadly, Richard died on Oct. 24, 2004. Winona outlived him by 18 years. She was diagnosed with dementia and passed into the arms of the angels on New Year's Eve 2022, at the age of 92. Burial was in Laurel Lawn Cemetery in Upper Deerfield.

• Granddaughter Karin Robbins was married and the mother of William Cavallo and Conner Evan Scott.

Charles Delbert Minerd

Son Charles Delbert Minerd (1932-1985) was born on Sept. 27, 1932. He attended Pitt Gas School in or near Clarksville, Greene County. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army. Charles married Josephine Medunic ( ? - ? ), daughter of Anthony and Josephine (Johngarlo) Medunic of Greene County. They relocated to the Cleveland, Ohio area, and produced four children -- Gary Minerd, Karen Minerd, Kenneth Minerd and Brian Minerd. Charles passed away on Feb. 15, 1985, at the age of 53, just 13 days before the death of his brother Thomas in Florida. Following a funeral mass sung at Our Lady of Mt. Carmen Church (West), his remains were laid to eternal rest in Holy Cross Cemetery. Josephine survived her husband by several decades. In 2012-2022, her home was in Rocky River, OH.

• Grandson Gary Minerd (1965-2006) was born in 1965. A well known community member in the Cleveland suburb of Westlake, Gary died young at the age of 41, leaving a wife and four young children. He was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery. On Aug. 20, 2007, the Gary Minerd Memorial Golf Classic was held at Avon Oaks Country Club in Westlake, with proceeds to be used for the future education of his children.

Daughter Layvonne Lois "Bonnie" Minerd (1936-2005) was born in 1936 in Chartiers, Washington County, PA. She twice married. Her first husband was 22-year-old machine operator Robert E. Dayton (1935- ? ). The couple eloped to marry in Winchester, VA, with their nuptials held on Jan. 19, 1957, by the hand of Methodist minister Rev. W.C. Eastridge. At the time, Robert made a home at 1581 East 115th Street in Cleveland. The couple eventually divorced, with Bonnie supporting herself as a secretary. At the age of 32, she again eloped to Winchester to marry 36-year-old welder Robert Walter Watson (1931-2003), son of Clifford and Gertrude (Teagarden) Watson. The wedding was held on May 11, 1968, with court-appointed A.M. Gooden Jr. officiating. They resided in Clarksville. Robert was an inspector on roadways for SAI, a welder and a coal miner at Vesta 5 Mine," reported the Washington Observer-Reporter. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army. Said the Uniontown Herald-Standard, she "was a homemaker, and retired controller for Omni Packaging at Washington [PA]." Bonnie, who came to several of our reunions in the early 2000s, went as a widow to live in Rocky River, OH. She died on May 10, 2005, in Manor Care Nursing Home in North Olmsted, a suburb of Cleveland.

The Heissers' wedding day

Daughter Margery Irene "Marge" Minerd (1938- ? ) was born in 1938 in Pitt Gas, Greene County, PA. At the age of 19, she made a home in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH and was employed as an assistant advertising manager. On Aug. 2, 1957, the 19-year-old Margery eloped to Winchester, VA to wed her first spouse, 21-year-old machine hand David T. Powers (1936- ? ), son of David D. and Gertrude (Garney) Powers. Rev. Joseph S. Duckwall, of the local Presbyterian church, officiated. At the time of marriage, David's home was at 3515 West 50th Street, and hers' at 3715 East 61st Street. Later, in about 1960, she married Wayne Heisser (Jan. 29, 1937-2019), son of James and Jesse (Delpit) Heisser and a native of Madisonville, LA. Their union endured for 59 years until the separation of death. The Heissers lived in Lakewood and Rocky River and produced four children -- Mark Heisser, David Heisser, Robert Heisser, Robin Zidek, Michael Heisser and a daughter who died in infancy. Wayne moved from Louisiana to Cleveland in the 1950s and was employed by Patteson Supply. Circa 1960-1962, he served in the U.S. Army. Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, he owned Seaway Patrol Security Services, and then worked for Industrial Security Services. In his spare time, Wayne enjoyed coaching little league baseball and softball, Winterhurst Broom Hockey. Margery and her sister Bonnie came to our 2002 reunion. Sadly, Wayne died on Oct. 20, 2019, at the age of 82.

• Grandson Mark Heisser married Brenda.

• Grandson David Heisser wedded Maire.

• Grandson Robert Heisser was united in wedlock with Trish.

• Granddaughter Robin Heisser was joined in marriage with (?) Zidek.

Myra and Ray Kennison

~ Daughter Myra (Minerd) Kennison ~

Daughter Myra Minerd (1899-1986) was born on June 4, 1899.

As a teenager, she attended the Weaver School (1914) and the Paull School (1915).

When she was age 19, Myra eloped to Cumberland, Allegany County, MD to marry 19-year-old Ray Andrew Kennison (June 15, 1899-1982), son of Emerson J. and Bessie E. (Robinson) Kennison of Smithfield. The nuptials took place on the Fourth of July 1918, officiated by Rev. J.W. Balderston of the Methodist Protestant Church. News of their marriage license was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Minerd and Kennison families were close, and Myra's sister Grace wedded Ray's brother Lloyd.

The Kennisons lived at White House, near Smithfield, and had two daughters, Edith Kingan and Janet Moody. 

In 1920, when the federal census was enumerated, Myra and Ray and nine-month-old daughter Edith made their home in Springhill Township, Fayette County. Ray was employed that year in local coal mines as a "shot fixer." Living a few doors away were Myra's widowed father and unmarried sister Grace.

When the federal census enumeration again was taken in 1930, the family is shown in Springhill, with Ray continuing to earn a living as a coal miner.

The Kennisons held a 16th birthday party for their niece Edith in April 1935 at their home in White House. Myra was a member of the White House Club during the 1940s. Myra and Ray served as executors of the estate of John H. Darby of Springhill Township in 1943.

They are known to have entertained a visit from Myra's cousin James William Worrick Sr., of the family of Jennie (Minerd) Herrington Worrick in November 1939 and from Myra's brother Wade and family in February 1945.

In the late 1960s, as grandchildren were being born, they received a happy surprise when their daughter Edith bore twin sons.

Ray passed away on Feb. 19, 1982 at the age of 82.

Myra spent her final years living under the roof of her married daughter Edith Kingan.

Myra died on Feb. 18, 1986, at the age of 87. The Uniontown Herald-Standard reported that she was survived by five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Daughter Edith Kennison (1919-2004) was born on March 30, 1919 in White House near Smithfield. In 1941, at the age of 22, she married 22-year-old George "Jim" Kingan (Feb. 14, 1919-2014), son of Thomas W. and Ellen T. (Stemnock) Kingan. Their marriage endured for 62 years until cleaved apart by death. George served as a corporal with the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, with deployment to the Pacific Theatre. After his return home, they moved into a house in 1944 which they still occupied some half-century later. Their twin sons were Larry Edward Kingan and Gary Kingan. Edith "retired many years ago from the G.C. Murphy Company, after 22 years of loyal service," said the Uniontown Herald Standard. "Following her retirement, Edith enjoyed traveling with her husband and their many friends, but 'Gram's' greatest pleasure was the time she spent with her grandchildren." Edith died at the age of 85 on April 13, 2004. Rev. George W. McLaughlin officiated at the funeral service, with burial following at Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery in Smithfield. Jim outlived his wife by nearly a decade. He succumbed on March 10, 2014

• George "Jim" and Edith Kingan

  Grandson Larry Edward Kingan ( ? - ? ) served as a radioman in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He and his twin brother Gary completed a five-month tour of duty aboard the U.S.S. LaSalle. In July 1971, he married Sherry Lynn Baird ( ? - ? ), daughter of Charles Baird of Collier. Their nuptials were held in the Fairchance Church of the Brethren, with Rev. George W. McLaughlin officiating. The Uniontown Morning Herald printed a story about the wedding, including Sherry's bridal portrait. They have lived in Smithfield and bore three children -- Christopher C. Kingan, Nathaniel J. Kingan and Justin Lee Kingan. In early December 2003, the family was plunged into grief when their 21-year-old son Justin was killed in an automobile accident near the Fayette County Fairgrounds on Route 119.

Great-grandson Christopher C. Kingan dwelled in Uniontown in 2003.

Great-grandson Nathaniel J. Kingan lived in Smithfield circa 2003.

Great-grandson Justin Lee Kingan (1982-2003) was born on Nov. 26, 1982 in Uniontown. He loved artwork. At the age of 21, he was employed by Connellsville Chrysler Plymouth and resided in Smithfield. On the tragic day of Dec. 6, 2003, while driving to work along Route 119, near the Fayette County Fairgrounds, his vehicle struck the median strip and careened into the oncoming lane, directly into the path of a tractor trailer. The force of the collision ejected him from his car and threw him 25 feet, and he was instantly killed. The story was printed in the Uniontown Herald-Standard. Funeral services were led by Rev. George W. McLaughlin, with interment following in Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery in Smithfield.

• Grandson Gary Kingan ( ? - ? ) was a radioman with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, as was his twin brother Larry. In about June 1967, Gary wedded Linda Bittinger, daughter of William Bittinger of Fairchance. The couple were the parents of Michele Lee Kingan and Balerie Kay Kingan. They dwell in Fairchance.

Daughter Janet Kennison (1926- ? ) was born in about 1926 in White House near Smithfield. She was eight years younger than her sister. She wed George Moody ( ? - ? ). Circa 1973, they resided in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH, and had three daughters -- Judy Moody, Kathy Moody and Sandy Moody. Janet was still alive circa 2004 when named in the obituary of her sister.

• Granddaughter Judy Moody

• Granddaughter Kathy Moody

• Granddaughter Sandy Moody

Grace Kennison

~ Daughter Grace (Minerd) Kennison ~

Daughter Grace Minerd (1901-1954) was born on July 2, 1901 in Smithfield, Fayette County, PA.

As a young teenager, she attended the Weaver School with her sister Myra circa 1914.

Grace married Lloyd J. Kennison (1901-1987), son of Emerson J. and Bessie E. (Robinson) Kennison. The two families were close, and Grace's sister Myra married Lloyd's brother Ray.

The Kennisons resided in the Smithfield area for four decades.

The couple bore five children -- Alice Catherine Monahan, James E. Kennison Sr., Roy Andrew "Bic" Kennison, Robert Allen Kennison Sr. and an infant who died at age two days in 1921.

In late December 1936, when Grace was age 35, she is known to have undergone surgery at a local hospital and spent two weeks recovering there before returning home to convalesce.

The U.S. Census of 1940 lists Lloyd's occupation as a heavy machinery laborer.

Sadly, while at home, Grace suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died at age 53 on Oct. 23, 1954. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier noted that she was survived by a dozen grandchildren. Lloyd placed a card of thanks in the Uniontown Evening Standard, sayig "We wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciatin to our friends, neighbors and relatives for their kindness and sympathy during our recent bereavement inthe loss of our beloved Wife and Mother, Grace Kennison, Also to Rev. Eckman, the singers, pallbearers, those who sent floral tributes and to those who assisted in any way."

Later in the 1950s, Lloyd married again to Sylvia Mae Boring (1917-2008), daughter of Abraham L. and Martha A. (Timmeney) Boring. The couple had two more children of their own -- Mark Kennison and Lois Kennison.

Sylvia was "an ordained minister of the Free Methodist Conference for 64 years," said the Uniontown Herald Standard, and was a member of the Little Brownfield Free Methodist Church.

Lloyd passed into eternity on Oct. 3, 1987.

Sylvia outlived her husband by more than two decades. She died at the age of 91 on Oct. 4, 2008, at Markleysburg, Fayette County, PA.

Daughter Alice Catherine Kennison (1922-2018) was born three days before Christmas in 1922. On Sept. 7, 1943, when she was 20 years of age, she slipped away to Oakland, MD to marry 19-year-old Harold Lloyd "Bud" Monahan (July 2, 1923-1989), son of William Monahan of Smihfield. Local Methodist clergyman Rev. Johnson officiated, and the Uniontown Evening Standard reported that "There were no attendants. The bride wore a blue gown with turf tan accessories." Their home was in White House near Smithfield. As a young man, Harold had labored for the Fancy Hill Coal Company. Then after the outbreak of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army, training at Fort Sill, OK before deployment to England. They produced two children, Harold Scott Monahan and Sandra Hoferka. Sadly, they endured the death of their son Harold in September 1961. Harold passed into eternity at the age of 65 on Jan. 19, 1989. Alice survived for almost 30 years and in abouit 1996 met the founder of this website during a visit in Smithfield. Alice eventually relocated to be near her daughter in Hueytown, AL. She died at the age of 95 in Hueytown on April 24, 2018. Her remains were returned to Smithfield for interment in Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery, with Rev. Chuck McLaughlin leading the funeral service.

• Grandson Harold Scott Monahan (1958-1961) was born on Aug. 27, 1958 in Uniontown. Sadly, at the age of three, he contracted diabetes and, added to acidosis, he died on Sept. 13, 1961. Interment was in Mount Moriah Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Sandra Monahan ( ? -living) was born in (?). She wedded Joseph Hoferka ( ? -living). They relocated to Hueytown, AL and produced two sons -- Charles Todd Allton and Joseph Hoferka.

Cousins Edith (Kennison) Kingan and James E. Kennison Sr., late 1920s

Son James E. Kennison Sr. (1925-2009) was born on July 23, 1925 in Whitehouse near Smithfield, Fayette County. He served with the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, with induction taking place in Greensburg, Westmoreland County in May 1943 and James' name printed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He married Margaret R. Colebank (1926-2006), daughter of Wayne Colebank. He was stationed in West Virginia and Camp Phillips, KS circa 1943, where he trained in field artillery. James, Margaret and their son James were pictured together in the Uniontown Morning Herald on Sept. 15, 1944, in celebration of the son's first birthday, with Margaret residing in Lake Lynn, Fayette County and James "now stationed somewhere overseas." After the war, they made a home at White House near Smithfield in Springhill Township. The couple were the parents of eight children -- James Kennison Jr., Michael Kennison, Dolores Sutton, Linda Leech, Diana French, Carol Seghi, Daniel Kennison and Robin Jarabeck. Said the Herald-Standard, James "was a veteran of World War II who served in the European and the African Theatres. Upon returning from the war he was a heavy equipment operator and loved farming." Grief blanketed the family over the years at the untimely deaths of son James (age 22, in 1966) and Michael (age 17, 1975). The family is known to have attended the silver anniversary surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. Frank Myers of Smithfield in October 1964. Margaret passed away on June 2, 2006, after 63 years of marriage. She was laid to rest at Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery of Smithfield. She was survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great- grandchildren, said the Herald-Standard. James lived for another three years. He passed away at the age of 84 on New Year's Eve 2009 as a resident of Horizon Personal Care Home.

• Grandson James E. Kennison Jr. (1943-1966) was born on Sept. 15, 1943 in West Virginia. He developed muscular dystrophy at the age of six and endured the disability for the remaining 16 years of his life. For his 17th birthday in September 1960, he received a wheelchair from the Fayette County Association of Muscular Dystrophy and was pictured in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Also burdened with hypertension, his heart went into ventricular fibrillation and he died suddenly at the age of 22 on Jan. 6, 1966. His remains were placed into repose in Mt. Moriah Baptist Cemetery in Smithfield.

• The Kennison brothers' graves

  Grandson Michael A. Kennison (1957-1975) was born on July 30, 1957 in White House, Fayette County. As a teenager, he was a student in the Albert Gallatin Area School District. Tragically, at the age of 17, he died in Uniontown Hospital on March 13, 1975. Interment was in Mt. Moriah Baptist Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Uniontown Morning Herald.

• Granddaughter Dolores Kennison ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was joined in marriage with Ervan "Erv" Sutton ( ? - ? ). They resided on a farm about a mile east of Smithfield and produced three offspring -- Dale Ervan Sutton, Beth DeLorenzo and Christie Sutton. Sadly, Ervan passed away sometime between 2010 and 2018. Dolores endured further heartache when her son Dale, married with three children and a grandson, died at the age of 44 on June 3, 2018 following a brief illness with cancer.

• Granddaughter Linda Kennison was united in wedlock with Joseph French and later with Larry Leech. The Leeches make a home in Smithfield.

• Granddaughter Diana Kennison wedded Stanley French. They live in Smithfield.

• Granddaughter Carol Kennison married Albert W. Seghi Jr., believed to be the son of Albert W. and Gladys (Jones) Seghi Sr. of Brownsville, Fayette County. They dwell in Smithfield.

• Grandson Daniel Kennison was joined in holy matrimony with Judy. They reside in Smithfield.

• Granddaughter Robin Kennison was united in marriage with Robert Jarabeck. In 2010, their home was in Painesville, OH.

Robert "Debo" and Joanne Kennison

Son Robert Allen "Debo" Kennison Sr. (1928-1989) was born on Sept. 27, 1928. He married Joanne Colebank (1930-2010), daughter of Wayne and Ellen (Beatty) Colebank and a native of Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. The Kennisons had 10 children -- Robert Allen Kennison Jr., Luanne Myers, Susie Wiles, Rita Reese, Rich Kennison, Donald Kennison, David Kennison, Cindy Everly, Debbie Bennett and Lori Myers. Robert died in 1989 at the age of 61. Joanne survived her spouse by 21 years. She passed away at the age of 80 in Sept. 18, 2010. She joined her husband in eternal rest at the Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery in Smithfield. The Uniontown Herald-Standard noted that she was survived by 26 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

• Grandson Robert Allen Kennison Jr. married Rita DeMichele, daughter of Albert T. DeMichele of Republic, Fayette County. They have attended our reunions. Rita served on the planning committee for the "Celebrate the Centuries" in 2000 honoring the 201st anniversary of Smithfield, PA, and also invited the founder of this website to speak at a Smithfield book club.

• Grandson Richard Kennison dwelled in Smithfield in 2018.

• Grandson Donald Kennison wedded Linda. They have resided in Cheat Lake, Monongalia County, WV.

• Grandson David Kennison was united in matrimnoy with Pegg. Their home is in Kingwood, Preston County, WV.

• Granddaughter Luanne Kennison was joined in wedlock with Howard "Howie" Myers. They live in Smithfield and are the parents of Brian Christopher Myers and Jason Scott Myers. Circa 1975, Howard and his brother in law Robert Allen Kennison Jr. were employed at Lakeview Country Club in Morgantown, WV.

• Granddaughter Susan Kennison married Brian Riggin and dwell in Smithfield.

• Granddaugher Rita Kennison wedded Terry Reese. In 2018, their residence was in Smithfield.

• Granddaughter Debbie Kennison was united in wedlock with Whitney Forquer and make their home in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV.

• Granddaughter Lori Kennison was united in marriage with Paul Myers. They live in Salem, OH.

• Granddaughter Cynthia Ellen Kennison (1959-2018) was born on Jan. 2, 1959 in Uniontown. She married (?) Everly ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Carrie Kennison, David Everly, Joseph Everly, Paul Everly, Mark Everly and Melissa Everly. Cynthia was employed over the years at Lakeview Resorts, Prime Thyme and B.F.S. On New Year's Day 2005, her granddaughter Faith Lynn Everly was born, and in a headline story the next day, the Uniontown Herald-Standard proclaimed, "Carmichaels Couple Welcomes First Baby of Year." Yet she endured the untimely death of another granddaugher, Mackenzie Everly. Sadly, at the age of 59, Cynthia passed away on April 19, 2018 in Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.  Rev. Andrew Burd-Harris led the funeral service.

Son Roy Andrew "Bic" Kennison (1931-2020) -- also known as "Vic" -- was born on Feb. 25, 1931. At the age of 21, in 1951, he worked as a truck driver and was charged by state police with overloading his vehicle and thus was ordered to pay a fine. He married his first wife, Pauline ( ? - ? ). Roy and Pauline are believed to have borne two children, Gerald Kennison and Nancy Stafford. By July 1952, the couple separated, with Roy not complying with a court order to pay support, with Pauline bringing charges in the county domestic court. At that time, he made his home in Gans, Fayette County. In June 1953, he was declared in contempt of court and placed in the county jail. Roy was jailed again on charges of larceny in April 1955. He relocated to Albright, Preston County, WV, and apparently continuing to refrain from making support payments, was jailed in December 1960. For more than half a century, he was employed by C.W. Wright Construction Company. Once he retired, he established his own trucking firm, Vic Kennison Inc. He enjoyed horse racing, Corvettes and bowling and was a vehicle collector. Circa 1966, he wedded Frances M. Dunaway (Dec. 29, 1928-2013), daughter of George and Annie Dunaway. Their marital union endured for 46 years until cleaved apart by her death. The couple produced two more offspring -- Vivian Callaway and Jean H. Edwards. They established a residence in Warsaw, Richmond County, VA, a community in what's known as the "Northern Neck," and attended Welcome Grove Baptist Church. Sadly, Frances died at the age of 84 on Jan. 14, 2013. Rev. Willard Bowen officiated the funeral service. Roy outlived his second bride by almost eight years. He succumbed to the angel of death at the age of 89 on Dec. 11, 2020. Interment was in Historyland Memorial Park Cemetery. Ex-wife Pauline married again to Robert Weller ( ? - ? ). Her home in 2016 was in Smithfield.

• Grandson Gerald Kennison was joined in wedlock with Mooneen. They dwelled in 2016 in Statesville, NC.

• Granddaughter Nancy Kennison (1947-2016) was born on Oct. 17, 1947. She was united in matrimony with Gary Stafford Sr. ( ? - ? ). The Staffords were the parents of a son, Gary Stafford Jr. Nancy earned a living for more than two decades as a bus monitor for the Albert Gallatin School District. She attended the Gans United Methodist Church. Her final years were spent in Smithfield, with Gary Sr. residing in Mount Saint Macrina in Uniontown. At the age of 68, she died on Aug. 20, 2016, as a patient in Uniontown Hospital. Interment was in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Smithfield, with Rev. Mark Blair leading the funeral service.

Great-grandson Gary Stafford Jr. wedded Dawn. Their home has been in Smithfield.

• Granddaughter Vivian Kennison wedded (?) Callaway.

• Granddaughter Jean H. Kennison married (?) Edwards.