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Walter Edgar Minerd was born on April 19, 1873 in Bullskin Township, Fayette County, PA, the son of Calvin and Mary (Means) Minerd Sr.

As a young adult, Walter resided in Scottdale, Westmoreland County, PA. In November 1896, said the Connellsville Courier, he came home and "enjoyed his Thanksgiving dinner with his parents."

On Aug. 14, 1898, the 23-year-old Walter married his first bride, 28-year-old Esther Gertrude Conliff (March 31, 1868-1908), a native of Pennsylvania and the daughter of English immigrants Martin and Margaret (Smith) Conliff. They were wed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Crall in Uniontown, Fayette County.

They together produced six children -- twins Mary Ellen Hough and Margaret Reiland Berkey, Walter "Albert" Minerd, Dorothy Williams Josephine Cramer and Wilbert Allen Minerd.

Walter was a butcher who worked in meat shops in Connellsville and Uniontown, PA. In 1927, he was one of the few family members to have a telephone number listed in the phone directory -- "340." 

Sadly, while in childbirth, Esther suffered problems when the baby's placenta covered her cervix causing bleeding. Esther was unable to recover and died in Fairchance on Jan. 5, 1908 at the age of 39. She is said to be buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Braddock, near Pittsburgh.

Afterward, daughter Josephine was sent to live with her grandparents, Calvin and Mary (Means) Minerd, where she was raised to adulthood.

In about 1911, after three years alone, Walter married widow Kathryn Jane Ann (McMullen) Orwig (1884-1972). She was the daughter of John Benjamin and Henrietta (Prinzler) McMullen and had been married once before, to George Orwig ( ? - ? ). 

Kathryn brought a son, Charles K. Orwig, to the marriage. 

Walter and Kathryn then went on to have two children of their own -- Dorothy Funk and Helen Fassett. Kathryn thus helped to raise her son, two daughters and five step-children, totaling eight young lives.

Walter registered for the military draft during World War I, and listed his occupation as butcher for F.P. Goodwin of Fairchance, where the Minerds resided. He maintained his membership in the First Baptist Church of Fairchance. In 1930, he agreed to serve as an alumni superintendent for the Fayette County Christian Endeavor convention, held on June 12-13.

When the federal census was taken in 1920, Walter and Katherine made their home in Fairchance. Walter's seven children, and Katherine's son, were in the household, as was Katherine's 75-year-old father, John B. McMullen. Walter's occupation was listed as butcher in a meat shop.

In November 1921, when daughter Josephine married Russell Cramer, "the bride and groom were guests of honor at a wedding dinner served at the home of the bride's parents…," said the Uniontown Morning Herald.

Walter and Kathryn are seen here with granddaughter Pauline in 1946.

They suffered various injuries over the years due to freak accidents. In July 1927, they were "severely cut and bruised when they were thrown from their automobile as they attempted to miss striking a lightness car parked on the main highway near Bethelboro," said the Uniontown Morning Herald. The following year, in winter of 1928, Kathryn was injured in a fall, with the news reported in the Daily Courier. While walking with Mrs. Clarence Gruver to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station to board a train for Uniontown, she tripped on a broken step on North Arch Street. She was taken to the home of Mrs. James Quinn on Arch Street, and when she was stable enough to move again, was brought to her home on 509 Johnson Avenue.

Initially, Walter's business -- the Minerd Meat Market at 306 North Pittsburgh Street in Connellsville -- met with success and public acclaim. The business was featured in a Sept. 26, 1928 "Who's Who" special edition of the Daily Courier, which said it was: 

... the people's favorite store for fresh meats and one of the best in Connellsville... this market has built up a wonderful reputation and is entitled to its well earned recognition. At this Meat Market you get the best of meats -- all kinds -- and they are fresh, juicy and tender, and in many instances you pay the lowest prices in town. It makes no difference how you want it -- broiled, baked, fried or stewed -- there's a tang of delicious flavor when you use their quality meats, and their modern equipment and display refrigerator counters keep meats fresh and fine at all times. The owner, W.E. Minerd, is to be congratulated on the success of his business. In this business Mr. Minerd finds both his work and his hobby, having chosen this line when a small boy and beginning in the slaughter house where he worked for 15 years. We recommend this place because the proprietor truly is living up to the reputation of the establishment and believe that "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." He treats all customers with unfailing courtesy and gives them their money's worth. He has cheery "good morning" and "good evening" for you.

Connellsville Daily Courier article about Walter's 80th birthday

In the long run, however, the meat market went out of business. A nephew once said that Walter did well when working for others, but just could not make a go when in business for himself. 

Later, in 1929, the Minerds moved to Cuyahoga County, OH, where Walter established a store in Cleveland, assisted by his stepson Charles Orwig. During their years in Cleveland, Kathryn was an active volunteer in Republican Party activities for more than two decades.

The Minerds frequently returned to the Connellsville and Fairchance areas to see relatives and friends. They are known to have visited over the years with Walter's married daughter Josephine Cramer (1949), married sister Gertrude Ullery (1936 and 1937), and second cousins James C. Minerd Jr. and Etta McDowell, and also with the family of Walter's aunt, Minerva Inks. In August 1920, while still residing at Fairchance, they attended a family reunion held at the home of Walter's aunt, Mrs. Henry McLaughlin, in West Newton, Westmoreland County. During many of these visits, they brought stepson Charles Orwig and his young son Robert Orwig. 

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sheering and their daughter Thelma, who lived in South Connellsville, visited the Minerds in Cleveland for several weeks in July 1931.

Walter received national exposure in 1933 when he was featured in Ripley's "Believe It or Not" column. On Nov. 20, 1933, Ripley's nationally syndicated cartoon depicted Walter in a hat and knee-length coat, with the caption, "Walter Minerd of Cleveland has worn the same coat 32 years." Among the newspapers known to have published this cartoon was the Canton (OH) Repository.

Little is known of Walter's last years. They resided at 10520-F Mt. Carmel Avenue in Cleveland. When Walter celebrated his 80th birthday, on April 19, 1953, just a few months before his death, their photograph was published in the Daily Courier.

Last known photo of Walter, 1952. Courtesy Debra (Minerd) Kemp

Walter passed away in June 1953. His remains were returned to Connellsville for burial at Green Ridge Cemetery. At his death, he was survived by 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His bronze grave marker is seen here.

Kathryn survived her husband by five years. On Sept. 3, 1955, she celebrated her 70th birthday with a party at the home of her married daughter Helen Fassett in Cleveland. 

Kathryn died at the age of 72, on June 16, 1958, also in Cleveland. The Uniontown Morning Herald said she "had been ill for several years." They are buried together at Green Ridge Memorial Park in Connellsville. Daughter Helen also rests for eternity in the family plot.

~ Daughter Mary Ellen (Minerd) Hough ~

Mary Ellen (Minerd) Hough

Daughter Mary Ellen Minerd (1898-1977) was born on Dec. 26, 1898 in Fairchance, Fayette County, PA, a twin with her sister Margaret. 

On March 12, 1921, at the age of 21, she entered into marriage with World War I veteran John Walter Hough Sr. ( ? - ? ), the son of Joseph L. and Deborah "Debbie" (Ritenour) Hough of Connellsville. Officiating the nuptials was Rev. Joseph S. Showers of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Their union endured the ups and downs of a remarkable 56 years.

The Houghs went on to bear four children -- Esther Turner, John Walter Hough Jr., Harold Joseph Hough and Donald Ray Hough. 

They were residents of Snydertown near Connellsville, making their residence at 619 Snyder Street for more than half a century. 

John labored locally with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, retiring in 1959 as a carp inspector and maintenance man after working there for 43 years. He belonged to the World War One Veterans Association, Barracks 2773, and Lodge 1049 of the Maintenance of Way of the B&O Railroad. They were members of the Otterbein United Methodist Church and its Win One class for more than 50 years. 

Mary Ellen had possession of the old Minerd family Bible which listed family names and births. The Bible was used to document the birth of her brother Wilbert when he sought a delayed birth certificate during World War II.

Uniontown newspaper, 1971

Mary Ellen enjoyed visiting her relatives and in April 1947 is known to have traveled to Cleveland with her sister Josephine Cramer to see their father, who had been ill but recovered. During the trip, they also made a stop in Titusville to see daughter Esther Turner and sister Margaret Berkey.

In March 1971, the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with an open house reception at the Otterbein United Methodist Church. The happy affair generated headlines in the Uniontown Morning Herald-Evening Standard, and their photograph portrait was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Their 55th anniversary in 1976 also was covered in the Courier.

At the age of 78, Mary Ellen passed away at Connellsville State General Hospital on Nov. 18, 1977. An obituary in the Connellsville Daily Courier noted that she was survived by 10 grandchildren and a baker's dozen great-grandchildren.

Daughter Esther Jean Hough ( ? - ? ) married William Turner ( ? - ? ). The pair resided in Titusville, PA circa 1949-1977. Two known sons of this family were John Ashley Turner and Ronald Turner.

• Grandson John Ashley Turner ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He was a 1965 graduate of Titusville High School and then went on to study education at Clarion State College. Circa 1968, he earned a living with Hasbrouck Inc. in Titusville. On Aug. 17, 1968, he wed Carol Jean Hering ( ? - ? ), daughter of William Hering of Upper St. Clair, a Pittsburgh suburb. The wedding was held at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Clairton, PA, and announced on the pages of the Connellsville Daily Courier. At the time of marriage, Carol also was a senior at Clarion, having graduated from Upper St. Clair High School in 1965. She was listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Both planned to student-teach in the fall of 1968. 

• Grandson Ronald Turner ( ? - ? ) 

Son John Walter Hough Jr. (1923-1990) was born in 1923. He was a 1942 graduate of Connellsville High School. As a young man he delivered newspapers for the Connellsville Daily Courier and worked at the Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation in South Connellsville. John served as a machinist's mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II, enlisting in January 1943. He is known to have taken basic training at Sampson, NY. Upon his return home from the Navy, he secured a job with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. In a ceremony held in Cumberland, MD in April 1949, John entered into marriage with Doris Lee Seighman (Sept. 30, 1925-2016), a native of Monarch, Fayette County and the daughter of Henry and Hazel (Washabaugh) Seighman. Conducting the ceremony was Rev. George E. Baughman. News of the marriage was printed in the Daily Courier, which said the bride "was attired in a gray suit with which she wore red accessories and a corsage of gardenia and red roses." Two daughter borne by the couple were Linda Rahm and Shan Gallo. Doris was a 1944 graduate of Uniontown High School and, prior to marriage, worked for five years as a Bell Telephone company operator. The family spent their married lives in Connellsville and were members of Otterbein Methodist Church. After completing his military service, John returned to Connellsville and became employed on Feb. 4, 1952 as a mail clerk with the Laurel Division of West Penn Power. He worked as a lineman and received a 20-year service award in February 1972, with his photo appearing in the Daily Courier. In 1976 he was named a lead lineman for the company, and in February 1977 was pictured in the newspaper at his 25th work anniversary. Doris was an alumna of Uniontown High School. She later was employed in the library of Connellsville Township Elementary School. At their 25th wedding anniversary, the couple held a reception at a daughter's home. The spectre of death claimed John in 1990. Interment of the remains was in Normalville Cemetery. Doris spent her remaining 16 years as a widow, making her home at the end in Fairchance. She passed into the arms of the angels in Uniontown Hospital at age 90 on Aug. 1, 2016.

• Granddaughter Linda Darlene Hough (1950-2017) was born on Sept. 16, 1950 in Connellsville. She was a 1968 graduate of Connellsville High School. On Dec. 26, 1969, in St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Oakland, MD, she wed John Owen Rahm Jr. (Aug. 11, 1950-1996), a Uniontown native and the son of John Owen "Jack" and Velma Rahm. Officiating their nuptials was Rev. Lawrence Sherwood. John was a 1968 graduate of Fairchance-Georges High School. At the time of marriage, he was serving with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Shangri La, deployed to the Western Pacific and Asia. His military specialty was as an airman structural mechanic. At the birth of their son in 1972, he was stationed at the Naval Air Base in Norfolk, Va. Their three offspring were Brent Rahm, Justin Tyler Rahm and Heather Michelle Rahm. Once his military term was completed, the family returned to Fayette County and put down roots in Scottdale. Sadly, John Jr. died in June 1996. Linda also outlived two of her children, Heather in infancy on Nov. 14, 1973 and Justin at age 30 in 2011. Linda resided in Fairchance in her later years. She surrendered to the spirit of death at the age of 66 on May 3, 2017. Pastor Paul Lesher conducted the funeral service. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery, Fairchance.

  Great-grandson Brent Owen Rahm (1972-living) was born in 1972, likely in Norfolk, VA where his father was stationed at the Naval Air Base. He grew up in Scottdale, PA. At his birthdays in the early years, he was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Brent married Judy. They dwell in Uniontown and are the parents of Trevor Rahm, Tanner Rahm, Hunter Rahm and Katie Rahm.

  Great-grandson Justin Tyler Rahm (1981-2011) was born on Aug. 24, 1981 in Mount Pleasant, PA. He was an alumnus of Connellsville Area High School. In adulthood he dwelled in Connellsville and earned a living in sales with Crivelli automobile dealership in Mount Pleasant. He was athletic and played in adult softball leagues, and followed the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Passion professional sports teams. Justin also belonged to the Fairview Aid Society. Sadly, he died in his home at the age of 30 on Sept. 8, 2011. His remains lie in eternal sleep in Maple Grove Cemetery, Fairchance. His obituary was published in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Shan Hough married Joseph "Joe" Gallo. Their home in 2016 was in Connellsville. 

Obituary, 1997

Son Harold Joseph Hough (1930-1997) was born on March 25, 1930 in Connellsville. News of his birth was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier, which reported that "Mother and son are getting along nicely." Harold was a 1948 graduate of Connellsville High School. He joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Circa 1953, he was united in matrimony with Shirley H. (Nov. 2, 1931-2001). Their union endured for 44 years until cleaved apart by death. The Houghs spent their lives in Connellsville. Together they begat one son, Thomas H. Hough. Harold was employed for many years as a store clerk for West Penn Power Company. They attended East Connellsville United Methodist Church, and he belonged to the Connellsville post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Connellsville Fairview Club. Sadly, Harold passed away at the age of 67 on June 19, 1997 as a patient in Highlands Hospital. The remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Green Ridge Memorial Park near Connellsville. Shirley outlived her husband by four years. Death swept her away into eternity on July 10, 2001. A copy of Harold's obituary was given by Olive (Rowan) Duff to the founder of this website at the 1997 Younkin Reunion held at Kingwood, PA.

• Grandson Thomas H. Hough ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He wed Peggy L. ( ? - ? ). Circa 1997, they made a home in Mount Pleasant, PA. Their two offspring are Tabitha Hough and Joseph Hough.  

Son Donald Ray Hough (1935-2014) was born on June 27, 1935 in Connellsville. He married Loretta Keyser ( ? - ? ) and they enjoyed 55 years of married life. They were the parents of Gregory Hough and Michelle Porter. Donald was employed for many years with Anchor Hocking Cap Plant in South Connellsville, specializing in inspections. They were members of the East Connellsville United Methodist Church, and he belonged to the Moose lodge. At the age of 78, apparently having spent his entire life in Connellsville, he died there on May 9, 2014. The Connellsville Daily Courier noted that he "was the last surviving member of his immediate family." He was laid to eternal rest in Normalville Cemetery.

• Grandson Gregory Hough 

• Granddaughter Michelle Hough Porter 

~ Daughter Margaret (Minerd) Reiland Berkey ~

Margaret Berkey

Daughter Margaret G. Minerd (1898-1987) was born on Dec. 26, 1898 in Fairchance, Fayette County, PA, a twin with her sister Mary Ellen. 

Margaret moved to McKeesport, PA in young womanhood and was there in 1922.

When she was 23 years of age, on July 31, 1922, she first married 22-year-old Elmer J. Reiland (1899- ? ), son of German immigrants Michael and Mary (Beir) Reiland and a resident of McKeesport. Justice of the peace John A. Rhodes officiated the nuptials, held in Pittsburgh.

The pair had known each other for three months prior to tying the knot. They did not reproduce.

According to Margaret's allegations, Elmer was not able or willing to work and was not able to support her in the marriage. The Reilands moved frequently as newlyweds, to her sister's home in Connellsville for about a week, thence to McKeesport at the Alcorn residence of his relatives for two months and from there to Cleveland, remaining another month. The hope was that he would find a job in Cleveland, but when he did not, and funds ran low, they moved back to McKeesport to reside with the Alcorns. 

At no time, Margaret said, did her spouse work or earn income. Their last residence together was at 609 Walnut Street, McKeesport. Elmer reputedly left their home and marriage on Dec. 30, 1923 and went to live with his aunt Rena Gibbs on Meadowbrook Boulevard in Brentwood Borough. Margaret then moved to dwell with Dr. Henry A. and Mildred M. Coleman to provide live-in housework.

Margaret filed for divorce in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, April Term 1926. She claimed only she had generated income for the couple by providing "private work" at about $12 per week and keeping a good home and cooking his meals. She also said Elmer had once come to see her to borrow money and that she gave him $15 as an advance against her salary with the Colemans. Elmer returned about three months later, but Dr. Coleman told him to leave or that he would call the police. The Colemans are on record as saying Margaret was "very nice, very reliable and trustworthy." 

Friend Anna Wilson of nearby Overbrook, who was familiar with the marital problems, said that Margaret was "a good worker, very good housekeeper." The divorce decree was handed down on July 10, 1928, as Case No. 1386 of the April Term of 1926.  

Her address circa 1926 was 124 Lynwood Garden in the Brentwood section of Pittsburgh, with Mt. Oliver as her post office.

In time she married her second spouse, widowed sawyer Lloyd Lowndes Berkey (Oct. 13, 1899-1992), the son of Lewis Aaron and Mary Elizabeth (Dietrich/Detrick) Berkey and a native of Swanton, Garrett County, MD. 

Lloyd had been married previously to Ada Blankenship (1904-1932), daughter of George Blankenship and brought two stepsons into the second union, both having been born in Tennessee -- Calvin L. Berkey and Cecil Wayne Berkey. Circa 1940, when Lloyd registered for the military draft, he lived along the Old Kingwood Pike near Morgantown, where he was working for T.J. Johnson as a sawyer on a survey project.

Titusville's East Diamond Street and Flat Iron Building

The Berkeys lived in Titusville for decades. There, he was employed as a night watchman at a sawmill, as shown in the 1950 federal census enumeration.

Titusville was known as the site where, circa 1859, Col. Edwin L. Drake had pioneered new techniques to systematically drill for and extract oil. His successes helped launch a national oil frenzy which drew the interest of a young John D. Rockefeller who quickly leveraged the opportunity to build Standard Oil Company and become what author Ron Chernow calls "the undisputed king" of the world of commerce.

Margaret was named in the 1977 Connellsville Daily Courier obituary of her twin sister Mary Ellen.

Margaret passed away in Jan. 1987. Her remains repose in the sleep of eternity in Titusville's Woodlawn Cemetery. No obituary for her has been found.

Lloyd outlived his bride by five years. Death enveloped him in Aug. 1992. An obituary was printed in the Titusville Herald. Funeral services were led by Rev. Timothy D. Maybray of the Pleasantville United Methodist Church.

Stepson Calvin L. Berkey Sr. (1923-2015) was born on Oct. 30, 1923 in or near Nashville, TN. Calvin was age nine when his mother died, and he and his brother were taken in by their Blankenship grandparents in Joe, NC. Calvin eventually moved to Pennsylvania and married Barbara ( ? - ? ). Their marriage endured for an extraordinary 72 years until the separation of death. A trio of children in this family were Calvin L. Berkey Jr., Timothy Berkey and Susan Palmore.  Calvin and Barbara dwelled in Tidioute, PA in 1959. He is known to have attended his father's funeral in 1992 and at the time was living in Columbus, OH. They were members of the Village Baptist Church. For 41 years, Calvin owned and operated C&B Car Wash and Service Center in Gahanna, OH. Said the Columbus Dispatch, "His greatest joy was acting as the neighborhood Santa Claus during the holidays. He and his wife Barbara, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, and passed out candy to the children and families that would visit them as they stood outside of their holiday lit home.." Calvin died in Columbus at the age of 91 on St. Patrick's Day 2015. Burial was at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. The family asked in an obituary that any memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

• Grandson Calvin L. Berkey Jr. married Karen.

• Grandson Timothy Berkey wed Freda.

• Granddaughter Susan "Sue" Berkey entered ito marriage with Joseph "Joe" Palmore. 

Stepson Cecil Wayne Berkey (1925-2015) was born on July 2, 1925 in Newport, TN. He was age seven at his mother's death, and with his brother was brought into the home of their Blankenship grandparents in Joe, NC. Circa 1950, he lived in East Titusville and earned a living with Kellogg and Love Inc. At the end his address was 377 Merrick Street in Pleasantville, PA. Cecil died at the age of 90 on Sept. 15, 2015 at Oil City's Oakwood Heights. 

~ Daughter Josephine Ida (Minerd) Cramer ~

Daughter Josephine Ida Minerd (1901-1990) was born on May 18, 1901 in Uniontown.

On Nov. 2, 1921, when she was 20 years of age, she was joined in holy wedlock with 24-year-old Russell Charles Cramer (June 9, 1898-1974), son of Messmore and Anna (Schmuck) Cramer of Indian Head, Saltlick Township. The nuptials were held at the parsonage of the First Baptist Church in Fairchance. Following the ceremony, led by Rev. G.M. Riley, a wedding dinner was served at her parents' home. 

In announcing the marriage, the Uniontown Morning Herald said that "They have the best wishes of their many friends." In fact their union endured for a remarkable 52 years.

The couple produced seven children -- Pauline Gertrude Tikey Meloni, Walter Cramer, Marjorie Biller, Wilbert Cramer, Dorothy Stoner, Eva Jean Hunter and Donna Brooks.  

Marriage article, 1921

The Cramers made their home in 1930-1940 on a farm in Upper Tyrone Township, Fayette County. They were plunged into grief at year-end 1930 when their 21-month old son Wilbert died of pneumonia

By 1950, Russell was earning a living as a self-employed carpenter in the construction industry.

Later, they may have resided at Morgan Station near Connellsville. Josephine and Russell were members of the Owensdale United Methodist Church and active with its Willing Workers Sunday School class.

When the couple marked their golden wedding anniversary in 1971, they held an afternoon open house at their home, as announced on the pages of the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Obituary, 1990

Sadly, Russell became stricken at the age of 76 on Dec. 8, 1974 and was rushed to Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant, and was pronounced dead on arrival. His obituary appeared in the Daily Courier.

Josephine outlived her husband by 15 years and endured the heartbreaking deaths of her sons Walter and Wilbert and grandson Kenneth Hunter.

She passed away at the age of 88 at Highlands Hospital and Health Center in Connellsville on Jan. 5, 1990. Burial of the remains was at Mt. Olive Cemetery near Pennsville. She was survived by 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. 

A copy of Josephine's obituary was given to the founder of this website by Muriel Ellstrom at the 1992 Younkin Reunion held at Kingwood, PA. 

Daughter Pauline Gertrude Cramer (1922-2014) was born on Sept. 6, 1922 in Upper Tyrone Township. She was a licensed practical nursing, employed over the years at Connellsville State General Hospital and in private duty positions. She attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Uniontown and was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, Uniontown. She was married twice, first to Earl K. Tikey ( ? - ? ). Their four children were Sandra Lea Carapucci Lunka, Carolyn Klafehn, Anita Snyder and Russell Earl Tikey. The Tikeys separated by 1970, with Pauline making a home at 99 Cleveland Avenue in Uniontown and Earl remaining in their home at 208 South Street. Her second spouse was Silvia Meloni ( ? - ? ). In her final years she was a companion of George Santmyer. Pauline attended several Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor Reunions over the years with her daughter Anita, including one just a little more than six months before her death. She passed away in Uniontown Hospital on Jan. 9, 2014, at the age of 91. Burial was in Mt. Olive Cemetery. Her survivors included eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

• Granddaughter Sandra Lea Tikey ( ? - ? ) was active in the Girl Scouts in childhood. She was a 1959 graduate of Connellsville Joint Senior High School and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Circa 1962, she worked in the display department of Troutman Department Store in Connellsville. Later that year, in November 1962, she relocated to Wickliffe, OH. Sandra's first husband was Gabriel A. Carapucci Jr. (Dec. 18, 1939-1999). A 1957 graduate of Dunbar Township High School, and the National Aeronautics School in Kansas City, Gabriel served with the U.S. Navy in Jacksonville, FL at the time of marriage. In 1965, the pair dwelled in Cleveland. Sadly, Gabriel died on Dec. 2, 1999. Sandra wed again to (?) Lunka ( ? - ? ). She lived in Cleveland in 2014.

• Granddaughter Carolyn Tikey ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She was a 1960 graduate of Connellsville Joint High School and the National School of Aeronautics in Kansas City. She then accepted employment with Bausch and Lomb Inc., the eyecare products giant in Rochester, NY. On Sept. 11, 1965, she married Edward C. Klafehn ( ? -2001), son of Norman "Tom" and Loretta Mae (Wolff) Klafehn. Their wedding ceremony was led by Rev. H. Erwin Goltermann in St. John's Lutheran Church in Hamlin, NY. In announcing the marriage, the Connellsville Daily Courier said she "wore a gown of white organza, taffeta and lace. The bodice of organza over taffeta featured a wide square neckline and elbow-length sleeves edged with a frill of heavy lace. The lace also was used for the front panel of the skirt and a frill extending above the taffeta belt." Edward was a 1960 alumnus of Hilton High School and at the time earned a living with E.I. Du Pont de Nemours Company while enrolled in the School of Aviation, both in Rochester. The couple dwelled in Oakfield, NY, his base as a corporate pilot for B.R. DeWitt in Pavilion, NY. His career with DeWitt spanned 18 years. Two daughters in this family were Rhonda Carter and Deborah Klafehn. Sadly, at the age of 58, William died on April 28, 2001. His memorial service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church, with an obituary appearing in the Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle. Carolyn outlived her husband by many years. She made a home in 2014 in Oakfield.

  Great-granddaughter Rhonda Klafehn wed William Carter. In 2001, they lived in Hollidaysburg, PA.  

  Great-granddaughter Deborah Klafehn relocated to Tampa, FL.

• Granddaughter Anita Louise Tikey (1947- ? ) was born in 1947 in Connellsville State Hospital. Her birth was announced in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Anita was a 1965 graduate of Connellsville Joint High School. She was joined in wedlock with (?) Snyder. She brought her mother to a number of Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor Reunions. Circa 2014, she dwelled in Cleveland.

• Grandson Russell Earl Tikey ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He was a 1966 graduate of Connellsville Area High School and then joined the U.S. Army. His military term included a year of duty in Vietnam. In young manhood, he attended Allegheny Technical Institute. On Oct. 24, 1970, he entered into marriage with Linda Susan Tinkey ( ? - ? ), daughter of James C. Tinkey of Champion, PA. The wedding was held in the Mount Nebo Church of God, by the hand of Rev. Glenn E. Beatty. Susan was a 1968 graduate of Connellsville High, and at the time of marriage, both were employied at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Two known sons of this union were Donovan James Tikey and Joshua Russell Tikey. Their residence in 1977-2014 was in Linda's home community of Champion.

  Great-grandson Donovan James Tikey (1971- ? ) was born in 1971.

  Great-grandson Joshua Russell Tikey (1975- ? ) was born in 1975.
  

Son Walter C. Cramer (1924-1986) was born in about 1924. In young manhood he worked for A. Overholt & Company at Broad Ford near Connellsville. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army and trained at Fort McClellan, AL and Fort Meade, MD, and attained the rank of sergeant in March 1944. In 1947, he entered into marriage with Betty Lou Skeans (1927-1999), a native of San Juan, Hidalgo Dounty, TX. One known daughter of this union was Sandra Kay McCutcheon Hankins. They lived in Connellsville in 1974. Walter succumbed to the spectre of death on March 2, 1986. His remains are in eternal sleep in Green Ridge Memorial Park. Betty Lou passed away in Mount Pleasant, PA at the age of 72 on Sept. 26, 1999.

Sandra Cramer's workplace, the Anchor Hocking glass factory

• Granddaughter Sandra Kay Cramer (1946-2008) -- also spelled "Saundra" -- was born on April 13, 1946 in San Juan, Hidalgo County, TX. She was a 1965 graduate of Connellsville Joint High School. She was married at least three times. On Sept. 18, 1962, she entered into marriage with her first spouse, Baron Hugh "Barry" McCutcheon (Jan. 8, 1946-1970), son of Hugh G. and Maryetta (Shearer) McCutcheon of Connellsville. The only daughter known in this family was Lorry Lynn McCutcheon. Baron was a 1963 graduate of Connellsville High and is known to have studied at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, WV. He belonged to the First Baptist Church. The marrige was troubled, and at year-end 1965 Sandra filed for divorce. No evidence has been found to show that a divorce actually occurred. Baron at age 22 was injured in August 1968 when the motorcycle he was riding was struck by an automobile driven by a 17-year-old. He was hospitalized with abrasions and contusions of the arms and pain in the right hip and kidneys. While he recovered, he was fated to die on the road. At the age of 24, on Feb. 8, 1970, his small sports car made a head-on collision with two other vehicles on Route 119, a quarter mile north of the intersection with Route 31 near Mount Pleasant. He was rushed to Frick Community Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival, with a skull fracture and other injuries. Photos of the twisted wreckage appeared on the front page of the local newspaper, which reported that one of the drivers "lost control of his northbound couple, which crossed the medial markers and crashed into [another driver's] oncoming station wagon. The [first] car careened off the station wagon and continued north to strike McCutcheon's small car, which was traveling in the opposite direction. The three vehicles came to rest off the west berm of the roadway." Rev. D.H.G. Mountain officiated the funeral, with burial in Green Ridge Memorial Park. After Baron's death, the widowed Sandra earned a living through her work at Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation in South Connellsville. Then on April 7, 1972, in what the Connellsville Daily Courier called a "quiet marriage ceremony" in Winchester, VA, she wed a second time to William Brown Hankins (July 8, 1944- ? ). He was the son of William H. and Dorothy (Brown) Hankins of Mount Pleasant, PA. The nuptials were held in the First Baptist Church, Winchester, officiated by Rev. E.T. Clark. William, a 1962 alumnus of Connellsville High, worked at the time of marriage by Capitol Motor Sales, Connellsville. The Hankinses lived in 1975 at 514 East Francis Avenue and in 1977 on McCoy Road, both in Connellsville.
  
  Sandra received a bachelor's degree at the University of Pittsburgh. She went on to earn two master's degrees in psychology and gerontology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She was considered a "non-traditional student" who worked full time at Anchor Hocking while pursuing her studies. She retired from Anchor Hocking in 2000 and then relocated to Millville, NJ where her daughter and family were living. There, she became employed as a program counselor for Cumberland County Guidance Center. She maintained her membership in Connellsville's First Baptist Church while also joining the Central Baptist Church in Millville and taking part in a Bible study group in Northfield,, NJ. Said the Press of Atlantic City: "She had a way of making people feel very special and always had a kind word. In life, Sandy enjoyed, her new Lincoln, trips to the casino, tropical beaches and the sound of the ocean. She enjoyed the holidays and decorating." Sandra's third husband was Raymond Richard Simpson Jr. ( ? - ? ). They tied the knot in Mullica Township, Atlantic County on Aug. 16, 2002. Along her life's journey she began spelling her name "Saundra" and became stepmother to Christopher Butler. She spent her final years in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The angel of death swept her away as a patient in Shore Memorial Hospital on Feb. 1, 2008. A memorial service was held in the Baptist church in Millville, with the remains transported to Connellsville to rest eternally in Green Ridge Memorial Park. In Connellsville, Pastor Dean Meyer led the services. Her obituary also was printed in the Vineland (NJ) Daily Journal.
  

  Great-granddaughter Lorry Lynn McCutcheon (1966- ? ) was born in 1966. On her fifth birthday, she was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier. She married Mark J. Senior ( ? - ? ).

  Step-great-grandson Christopher Butler ( ? - ? ). 

Daughter Marjorie Ellen Cramer (1927-2008) was born on Jan. 5, 1927 in Upper Tyrone Township, Fayette County. She was an alumna of Connellsville High School. Single at the age of 23 in 1950, she worked in "capping" for a glass company in or near Upper Tyrone. She entered into marriage with Joseph Biller ( ? - ? ). The pair dwelled in Parma, OH in 1974-2008. The pair's one known daughter was Valerie Hurst. Marjorie was carried away by the angel of death at home at the age of 81 on Feb. 18, 2008. Her funeral mass was sung at St. Charles Roman Catholic Church, Parma, followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Valerie Biller is known to have been a flower girl in the 1965 wedding of her cousin Sandra Lea Tikey. Valerie married John Hurst. They dwelled at West Lake, OH in 2008. Two known offspring are Lauren Hurst and Evan Hurst.

Son Wilbert Ray Cramer (1929-1931) was born on April 30, 1929. His short childhood was spent in the family residence in Upper Tyrone Township, Fayette County. Stricken with lobar pneumonia at the age of one year and nine months, he suffered for 15 days before surrendering to death on the next to last day of 1930. His tender remains were lowered into eternal repose in Mount Olive Cemetery in Bullskin Township.

Daughter Dorothy May Cramer (1932-2021) was born on Jan. 12, 1932. Unmarried in 1950, at the age of 18, she generated income as a sales lady in a store. She married Earl Wells Stoner (Jan. 20, 1928-1985), son of Wilbur H. and Hazel (Hough) Stoner. The couple did not reproduce. Earl had served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1947. She is known to have been in Scottdale, PA in 1974-1990. Dorothy was rendered a widow when Earl died at age 57 on Feb. 2, 1985. She survived for another 36 years. In 2008, her address was at North Rillton, OH. Death swept her away in Strongsville, Cuyahoga County, OH at the age of 89 on Dec. 18, 2021. The remains were returned to Connellsville for burial at Green Ridge Memorial Park.

Daughter Eva "Jean" Cramer (1934-2014) was born on Nov. 20, 1934 in Connellsville. She was a 1952 graduate of Connellsville High School. In her early years she was affiliated with the Owensdale United Methodist Church and the Scottdale Church of the Nazarene. On Sept. 9, 1961, in nuptials held in the Methodist church, she was united in matrimony with World War II Army veteran Eugene "Victor" Debs Hunter (Oct. 23, 1926-2001). Presiding was Rev. Paul A. Morris, pastor of the Owensdale Evangelical United Brethren Church. The marriage was made public on the pages of the Connellsville Daily Courier,noting that Eva Jean "wore a street-length dress of poudre blue net over taffeta. The strapless fitted bodice was topped with a matching net stole. She wore a white satin headdress with floral design and white satin slippers." At the time of marriage, Victor, who had attended school in Greensburg, PA, worked for Duraloy Company in Scottdale. He had been named for Eugene Victor Debs, an American socialist, political activist and trade union promoter who was a co-founder of the Industrial Workers of the World and presidential candidate on the ticket of the Socialist Party of America. Victor was previously married to Pearl Irene Johnson and brought four stepchildren into the second union -- George D. Hunter, Eugene Victor Debs Hunter Jr., Sandra Lee Hunter and Susan Hunter. Together they produced a brood of five children of their own -- Kenneth Glenn Hunter, Donna K. Nicholson, Eva "Marie" Gaffney, Deborah Jean Hunter, Robert Earl Hunter, and Susan G. Hunter. In 1966, their address was 306 South Market Street, Scottdale. At one time, Jean was employed as a baker with the Tasty Pastry Baker. They belonged to the Bryan United Methodist Church in Dawson, and she to the Scottdale Woman's Garden Club and Brownfield Community Center. In her free time she liked to sing and play the organ. The family was blanketed in mourning when, just a few days before Christmas 1966, their nine-year-old son George was killed while crossing the old Pennsville Road after an evening of caroling. Circa 1973, they dwelled in Dawson and in 1990, their residence was in Connellsville. Sadly, Victor died at the age of 74 on March 3, 2001. Interment of the remains was in Scottdale Cemetery. Jean outlived her spouse by a baker's dozen years. She endured the heartache of the untimely deaths of grandchildren Jennifer Jean Fox and Jimmy Crise. Death carried her away at age 80, in Scottdale, on Nov. 26, 2014. Pastors Chris Varney and Roy Butt jointly led the funeral service, with burial in Scottdale Cemetery. An obituary said she was survived by 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.    

• Step-grandson George D. Hunter (1957-1966) was born on June 14, 1957 in Mount Pleasant, PA. In his all-too-short boyhood he attended the Pennsville Baptist Church. Tragedy claimed his life on Dec. 21, 1966 after an evening of Christmas caroling. Having been dropped off from a bus, and then while walking across the old Pennsville Road, en route to the church, he was struck by a southbound car driven by a 17-year-old. The horrific story was top-headline news in the next day's edition of the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Step-grandson Eugene Victor Hunter Jr. wed Debbie ( ? - ? ). He lived in Darragh, PA in 2014.

• Step-granddaughter Sandra Lee Hunter ( ? - ? ) married Harry Phelps ( ? - ? ). The pair relocated to North Carolina.

• Step-granddaughter Susan Hunter (1951-2008) was born on Jan. 22, 1951 in Jamestown, NY. She married (?) Crise and was the mother of James C.E. "Jimmy" Crise and Amber Crise. She held a membership in the East Huntingdon Township Fireman's Club. Sadly, her son James (July 11, 1976-1995) passed away at age 19 on Sept. 22, 1995. On the son's grave marker are inscribed the words "Loved by many, missed by all, now his soul flies free." Susan died in Excela Health Frick Hospital just nine days after her 57th birthday on Jan. 31, 2008. Pastor Ken Bungard officiated the funeral service, with burial in Hillview Cemetery in Greensburg, PA. Her obituary was published in the Greensburg Tribune-Review. 

• Grandson Kenneth Glenn Hunter (1963- ? ) was born in about 1963. He was deceased by 2008.

• Granddaughter Donna Kay Hunter (1964- ? ) was born in about 1964. She was joined in matrimony with Clarence Nicholson Jr. ( ? - ? ). In 2014, they lived in Connellsville.

• Granddaughter Eva "Marie" Hunter (1967- ? ) was born in about 1967. She was united in wedlock with Wayne A. Gaffney ( ? - ? ), son of Wayne L. and Joanne (Murdock) Gaffney of Scottdale. They resided in 2014 in Scottdale, PA.

• Granddaughter Deborah Jean Hunter ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2014. 

• Grandson Robert Earl Hunter (1971- ? ) was born in 1971. At his second birthday, he was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier. He wed Stephanie ( ? - ? ). The couple's home was in Connellsville in 2014.

Daughter Donna Lee Cramer (1940- ? ) was born in about 1940. She was a graduate of Scottdale High School and the Maison Frederic School of Beauty Culture. In young womanhood she was employed by Steppe's in Troutmans Beauty Salon as a hairdresser and manager. On Aug. 25, 1974, she wed Eugene Brooks ( ? - ? ), son of Lucy Terry of Connellsville. The marriage was performed by Rev. Kenneth Lashen in the Owensdale United Methodist Church. Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier, the bride "appeared in a white, street-length, polyester knit dress with jacket. She carried a bouquet of white and blue chrysanthemums." Eugene was an alumnus of Connellsville Joint High School and the Greensburg Institute of Technology. At the time of marriage, he worked as a television repairman for Brush and Hostoffer of Mount Pleasant, PA. The couple bore at least one daughter, Carrie Jo Brooks. The family's home in 1974-1977 was at 319 Ninth Street, Connellsville, and 1990-2014 they remained in Connellsville.

• Granddaughter Carrie Jo Brooks (1975- ? ) was born in 1975. At her first and second birthdays, she was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier. 

~ Son Walter Albert Minerd ~

Son Walter "Albert" Minerd (1903-1975) was born in 1903.

He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, but never married. He lived in Connellsville during the 1950s, making his residence at 225 Water Street. 

In 1945, after his discharge from the Army, he lived on McCoy Hollow Road. In April that year, he made news when he was injured in an automobile accident while a passenger in a vehicle driven by Mrs. Hazel Schroyer of Scottdale. The Daily Courier said the automobile was struck by another car on the Springfield Pike and that Walter "sustained contusions of the left elbow and laceration and contusions of his left leg and knee." 

In December 1946, he lived at Moyer near Connellsville, and made news again when he was robbed of $150 in cash while "asleep on a street car as he was going home Wednesday evening and rode beyond his stop to Murphy Siding. What happened during the intervening time is quite a mystery and [police] officers declared they need considerable information to help solve the case," reported the Daily Courier.  

He passed away at the age of 72 in the Connellsville State General Hospital on Sept. 15, 1975. He was laid to rest in the Normalville Cemetery in Fayette County.

~ Son Wilbert Allen Minerd ~

Son Wilbert Allen Minerd (1907-1989) was born on April 12, 1907 in Uniontown, Fayette County. 

He also served in World War II. Before the war, Wilbert had moved to New York City, where he worked for the Electrolux Corporation. He rented an apartment at 274 Madison Avenue.

Then, when the war broke out, he enlisted, and was assigned to the Third Army, serving in France under General George Patton. During the war, as an Army private, Wilbert won a Purple Heart and made headlines when he stayed on duty for two days to care for an injured comrade despite being wounded himself. In a letter to his sister Mary Ellen, later reprinted in the Connellsville Daily Courier, Wilbert wrote:

A few Jerries flew down on us and started firing on us… Well, about 11:30 they came over and dropped flares which hit the field like daylight. Then they started to drop their bombs. Well I thought it was the end. Some of the men that ride with me got under my M-4 … I pulled them out, of course, cause the Jerries wanted to hit it. They got over one hedge fence. I then heard someone on the other side of the field calling 'please help me.' I could hear him saying 'help me' so then I double-timed across the field to get him. As I was putting him over the hedge fence they (the German planes) got (machine -gunned) me. I then stopped for a while. I mean I kissed the ground till they flew over the field. Then I picked this fellow up again and carried him to another hedge fence. I had to have help to put him over that fence after me being hit. Then two other fellows that were on the other side of the fence helped and they took care of him. No one knew I was hit … Then we started again, leaving the ones that we would not see again behind. I drove all that day until about 8 P.M. I was so tired that I fell asleep as I sat down to look at my wound.

Top headline, Connellsville Daily Courier, Oct. 4, 1944

After the war, Wilbert moved to Cleveland, and married Lillian Clark (Aug. 4, 1928-1997), who was almost a quarter century younger than her husband. They produced a son, Russell A. Minerd and a daughter, Nancy Claire Arndt.

They divorced in February 1978.

Wilbert died in Cleveland on Dec. 1, 1989, at the age of 85. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. His funeral arrangements were handled by Berry's Funeral Home. 

Former wife Lillian lived for another 19 years after the divorce. She passed away on March 16, 1997. On the 20th anniversary of her death, in 2017, her son published a notice in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, saying "Thank you for being my Mother."

Son Russell A. Minerd (1951-2017) was born in about 1951. He graduated from Fairview High School where he performed in the concert and marching bands. During the Vietnam War era, he served in the U.S. Air Force in Hawaii and Germany during a four-year period from 1968 to 1972. Upon returning home, he obtained employement as a truck driver and joined the local union no. 407. He resided in an apartment in Cleveland for two decades and performed handyman work around the complex. He enjoyed photography and animals, with a love for the Cleveland Animal Protective League. He also was involved with the production of several films made in Cleveland, among them American Splendor, Antwone Fisher and Collinwood. Sadly, less than two weeks after placing a notice in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on the 20th anniversary of his mother's death, Russell passed away at the age of 66 on March 29, 2017. An obituary appeared in the Plain Dealer.

Daughter Nancy Claire Minerd ( ? - ? ) married Alan Arndt ( ? - ? ). They have made their home in Parma, OH.

~ Daughter Helen E. (Minerd) Fassett ~

Daughter Helen E. Minerd (1911-1964) was born in 1911.

She was "widely known" during her high school years in Fairchance and Connellsville, a newspaper once said. She relocated to Ohio in young womanhood and in 1934-1935 made a home in Cleveland.

On Jan. 7, 1935, when she was 23 years of age, Helen married Murrell Everett Fassett Sr. (Feb. 22, 1907-1989), also misspelled at times as "Merle." The son of Jonathan Casper and Ida (Hughes) Fassett, he was a native of Sheffield, Ashtabula County, OH where he had grown to manhood.

The wedding was held at Ripley, Chautauqua County, NY, following a custom set by her sister Dorothy a few years earlier. In reporting on the marriage, the Uniontown Morning Herald said that while the groom was from Cleveland, he "has visited Uniontown a number of times." At the time, Helen was "associated with a beauty parlor" in Cleveland, while Merle was "employed as a printer." 

They together produced an only son, Murrell Everett "Junior" Fassett Jr. 

Murrell stood 5 feet, 10½ inches tall and weighed 162 lbs. He is known to have been a student at Allegheny College in 1928 in the years prior to marriage. 

The Fassetts made their first home in Cleveland. There, in 1939, Murrell was described in a news story as a chemist. The 1940 United States Census lists Helen and her son living under the roof of her parents in Cleveland, with her earning a living as a hair dresser in a department store. That same year, Murrell was self-employed and resided at 156 Meadow Street in Pittsburgh.

A 1946 news article described Helen as employed as a dramatic teacher in the Cleveland schools.

An August 1946 edition of the Connellsville Daily Courier reported that Helen and Junior spent a visit with Helen's sister, Josephine Cramer, of near Broad Ford, Fayette County. 

The couple divorced by 1947. Helen was admitted to the United States Mental Hospital in Cleveland, where at age 39 she was enumerated in 1950 in the federal census. In time she moved back to Connellsville and in 1953 resided on East Fairview Avenue. 

Murrell married again in Pittsburgh in 1947 to Elaine ( ? - ? ). Census records for Pittsburgh in 1950 show him working for a chemical company, making washing fluid. At some point he joined the Sons of Italy. The pair relocated in 1962 to Napa County, CA. There, he was employed for a dozen years at the Silverado Country Club and held a membership in the Culinary Workers Union. He retired in 1982. He died at the Queen of the Valley Hospital at the age of 82 on Nov. 10, 1989. His ashes were placed into the sleep of ages in Skyview Memorial Lawn in Vallejo, CA.

Helen died in Cleveland State Hospital on April 21, 1964. She rests in eternal repose with her parents at Green Ridge Memorial Park, Connellsville. 

Son Murrell Everett "Junior" Fassett Jr. (1936- ? ) was born on Jan. 10, 1936 in Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland. In announcing the birth, the Uniontown Evening Standard said that "Mother and baby are reported doing nicely." Murrell appears to have spent his career in the military. His first wife was Norma J. ( ? - ? ). One daughter in this family was Penny Ann White. Norma filed for divorce in 1968 in El Paso, TX. Circa 1970, he was joined in marriage with Gwendolyne F. (June 17, 1930-2002). Their union endured for 31 years until the separation of death. The Fassetts relocated to El Paso, TX in 1977. Circa 1978, now a radar technician at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, took part in a contest related to citizens band radio (CB). Murrell is believed to have authored an article in the Air Defense Artillery publication in 1996 for a project in association with the Center for Military History to create and redesignate new flags for bases in the U.S. and Germany. Gwendolyne was a member of the El Paso Rainbow Girls and the Wallace Hughston lodge of the Order of Eastern Star. Sadly, at the age of 71, she died on April 15, 2002. Her remains were transported for burial to Canastota, NY. Murrell outlived his bride by five years and moved to Albuquerque, NM. There he died on Jan. 23, 2007. Murrell and Gwendolyne rest for all time in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Canastota.

• Granddaughter Penny Ann White lived in Grand Blanc, MI in 2002. Her offspring are believed to have been Alyssa Delaney, Richard Delaney, Stephanie White, Sierra White and Savannah White.

~ Daughter Dorothy (Minerd) Williams Funk ~

Daughter Dorothy Minerd (1914- ? ) was born in 1914. 

On Oct. 8, 1933, at about age 19, she married James Williams ( ? - ? ) of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH. The ceremony took place in Ripley, Chautauqua County, NY. 

They made their first home in Cleveland, OH, where James was manager of the Zanol Company. 

Later, she married Lester E. "James" Funk (1905- ? ). He also is believed to have been wed previously and thus brought two stepsons into the union, Neal L. Funk and Bruce M. Funk.

They resided on a farm in Bedford Township, Cuyahoga County in 1950, with Dorothy's 62-year-old, divorced uncle William McMullen and 17-year-old nephew Robert L. Orwig in the household. Subsequent residences were in Macedonia (1953) and Warren, Trumbull County, OH. 

The Funks traveled to Connellsville in the summer of 1953, in company with Dorothy's mother and step-brother Charles Orwig, to visit the Fassetts on East Fairview Avenue. Said the Courier, "The Clevelanders are also spending some time with other relatives and friends in Fayette county during July." 

The pair resided in Warren in 1977. Nothing more about them is known.

Stepson Neal L. Funk (1937- ? ) was born in about 1937 in New Jersey.  He grew up on his father's farm in Bedford Township near Cleveland. 

Stepson Bruce M. Funk (1939- ? ) was born in about 1939 in New Jersey.

~ Stepson Charles K. Orwig ~

Stepson Charles K. Orwig (1908- ? ) was born in 1908. 

He was a graduate of the Uniontown High School Class of 1927, and later that year resided in Connellsville.

The following year, he accepted employment in Toledo, OH with the Kroger Grocery and Baking Company. 

By 1935, he was manager of the Fishers Company store in Cleveland, and remained in the city into the 1950s. 

Circa 1977, he made his home in Florida.

Copyright © 2001-2002, 2008-2009, 2012, 2017, 2023 Mark A. Miner