Obituary: Minnihan, John E.
MINNIHAN, John E.
John, age 64, died at Spokane Valley Hospital on Friday, August 3, 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer.
John was born December 16, 1947, in Sycamore, Illinois, to Anna (Ruth) and John (Robert) Minnihan.
He was raised on his maternal grandparents, Nora and Edward Troutman’s, farm surrounded by loving uncles and aunts.
He graduated from Sycamore High School in 1966.
In August 1967 John enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in Vietnam from September 1968 through September 1969.
Upon returning to the United States, he was stationed at Richards Gebauer AFB, Belton MO.
On May 16, 1970, he was united in marriage to Patricia A. Bonderman in Primghar IA.
During the next thirty years, he served at bases throughout the United States and Germany and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree through Bellevue University.
John retired on August 1, 1998, at Fairchild AFB after 30 years service, attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.
The camaraderie and friendships he acquired during his career lasted throughout his life time.
He cherished the time he spent in the military and the people he worked beside.
John never lost his love of gardening and shared that love with his youngest son, Jason; they spent many hours planning and caring for the garden.
Together they supplied friends and family and those in need with fresh vegetables.
He was the “go to” person for anyone who had a gardening question.
John and his eldest, son, Craig, bowled together for over 20 years, enjoying their league nights together and the friends they made along the way.
John loved fishing with his sons and relatives throughout Washington, Montana, and Alaska.
He was the first one in line to take his grandchildren to the newest Disney movie - always good for popcorn and a drink.
John also loved to travel.
He and Pat, along with numerous family members, enjoyed their many trips to Oahu.
John enjoyed his road trips with his brother-in-law Gene Bonderman.
He and Gene entertained family and friends with stories of their antics during the six-week road trip back to the mid-west to visit family and friends and their trip this spring to Oregon to see the Spruce Goose.
John served as a Global Credit Union Board member for several years, and later served a Chairman of the Global Supervisory Committee.
John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Pat; his son Craig and his wife Jamey; his son Jason; three grandchildren, Jordan, Angil and Tucker all of Spokane, WA; his brother, Mark Stevenson of DeKalb, IL and by aunts uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law who came to look upon him as a brother.
John was a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church since 1994.
Funeral services for John will be held on Friday, 10:00 a.m., August 31, 2012 at Getheweman Lutheran Church, 11315 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley, Washington.
The Reverend Robert List will officiate.
Entombment will be at 3:00p.m.
at the Eastern Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola Road in Medical Lake, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Inland NW Honor Flight, 608 W. 2nd, Suite 309, Spokane, WA 99210-4430 or Gethsemane Lutheran church.
We would like to thank the staff at the Valley Rockwood Cancer Center and the doctors and staff on the 3rd Floor, Valley Hospital for the wonderful care they provided John and the consideration and sympathy they provided the family.
You will never know how much your kindness meant during this trying time.
God bless you all.