Bio-Minerd, PercyDonald

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Percy Donald Minerd
(1896-1988)

Percy Donald Minerd was born on June 22, 1896 near Vanderbilt, Fayette County, PA, the son of William H. and Missouri (Shelkey) Minerd.

Percy served with the US Army in World War I. He was assigned to Motor Group 14, Section B, and trained at Fort Greenleaf, GA. He is seen here in his doughboy uniform.

After the war, Percy returned home and labored as a coal miner. In 1921, he was a truck driver and shipping clerk for the Home Furniture Company of Uniontown.

On Aug. 5, 1919, Percy married Nellie M. Fazenbaker ( ? -1972), the daughter of John F. and Ida Jane (Dannels) Fazenbaker.

They had one daughter, Lela Fern Kelly.

In the 1920s, the Minerds lived at 135 Connellsville Street in Uniontown. Later they moved to East Askren Street, and then to Edison Boulevard (Evans Manor), where they remained for many years.

Percy and Nellie are seen at left with a newborn great-grandson, Bryan, in their living room at Evans Manor, circa 1972.

Sadly, Nellie passed away on Nov. 9, 1972, in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. Her remains were returned to Uniontown so she could be laid to rest at the Sylvan Heights Cemetery.

Percy outlived his wife by 16 years.

He is seen at right seated comfortably in a favorite easy chair. Wrote a granddaughter, "I remember him having a sharp mind even in his last year of life."

Percy died at age 91 on March 20, 1988. His funeral was held at the James D. Barnett Funeral Home in Uniontown, formerly the Minerd Funeral Home. Percy was buried his wife Sylvan Heights Cemetery.

Daughter Lela Fern Minerd (1920-1992) married Walter E. Kelly. They had three children -- James Patrick Kelly, John Christopher Kelly and Kathleen Jane Crouser. The Kellys apparently lived in or near Orrville, Wayne County, OH. Lela passed away at Dunlap Memorial Hospital in Orrville, at the age of 72, on Jan. 23, 1992.

For more information on this family, contact Kathleen Kelly Crouser.