Bio-Minerd, Harry Russell

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Harry Russell Minerd
(1908-1991)

Harry Russell Minerd was born on March 18, 1908 in Meadowbrook, Fayette County, PA, the son of Charles B. and Ada (Tressler) Minerd.

Harry was the youngest of their nine children, and there was an age difference of more than 20 years between him and his eldest sister. He is seen at right in a studio portrait, posing with an empty chair.

Harry married Mary E. Blair (1913-1997).

The Minerds went on to have 10 children -- William Minerd, Charles Minerd, Kenneth Minerd, Robert Minerd, Theodore Minerd, Betty Jean Shaffer, Harold Thomas "Tony" Minerd, James Franklin Minerd, Patricia Ann Maust and Donald Eugene Minerd.

The family lived in the Uniontown, Fayette County, area. In 1930, they resided in Martin, Fayette County, when son Robert was born. In 1952, they made their home at Rocks Works near Masontown, Fayette County.

By 1970, they had moved to nearby Little Brownfield.

In 1952, double tragedy struck the family when their eldest son, 20-year-old William, was killed in an automobile accident while riding with his uncle Arthur Ralph "Buck" Minerd. A funeral for both of them was held at the Honsaker Funeral Home in Masontown, with burial conducted at the Fairview Cemetery. William, a clean-cut, handsome young man, is seen at left.

Harry passed away at the age of 83 on Nov. 2, 1991. He was laid to eternal rest at the Cedar Grove Cemetery at New Geneva, Fayette County.

Mary outlived her husband by six years. She died at the age of 84 on Nov. 30, 1997, "after a lengthy illness," said the Uniontown Herald-Standard. She is buried at the Fairview Cemetery near Masontown.

Above, left to right: sons Theodore, Tony and Jim

Above, l-r: son Bob and daughters Betty Jean and Patricia

Son Donald, up close and tricycling

Son Robert H. "Bob" Minerd (1930-2009) married Minta and had one daughter. Said the Uniontown Herald-Standard, he "spent most of his life working as a truck driver and a heavy equipment operator. He loved to work in his garden!" Bob passed away at the age of 78, in the Uniontown Hospital, on May 9, 2009.

For more information, contact grandson Harold "Thomas" Minerd Jr., who has worked in Dell Inc.'s computer training department in Round Rock, TX as an instructional designer, developing training material for technical support. He previously owned Tom's Computer Resource Center in Killeen, TX.

Another grandson, Donald Minerd, of Masontown, seen at left, may also be contacted for information.

Grandson Bill Shaffer married Connie L. Friend (1963-2008). They had two sons, William and Joshua. Connie worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for Shaffer's Fabricating of Masontown. She also was active with the Grace Community Chapel in Hopwood, Fayette County. Sadly, Connie passed away at the age of 45 on June 21, 2008.