Gerald H. “Jerry” Miner, 83, of Hiawatha, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Sabetha Manor. He was born Oct. 30, 1934, in Brown County, one of four children born to the late Carl and Cordelia Snodgrass Miner.
He grew up in the Reserve community where he attended District #83 country school before attending and later graduating from Reserve High School in 1952. Jerry served eight years with the 2nd Battalion, 130th FA, Kansas Army National Guard of Hiawatha. Jerry farmed for 22 years and then moved to Hiawatha to be a plumber, electrician for another 20 years.
He had a love for old tractors and had a collection of over 50. His favorite was the John Deere tractors. They hauled them from the states of Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Kansas. Jerry belonged to a local tractor club for many years. He also loved to bowl, starting in 1965 until Dec. of 2016. He loved to travel, with Colorado being his favorite place to visit.
He married Mary Jane Baker on May 24, 1953. They had three children: Mary Ann, Carol, and Mike. His wife Mary survives of the home after 64 years of marriage. Also surviving are two daughters: Mary Ann (C.J.) of Tucson, AZ and Carol Harahan of Muscotah; daughter in law, Kathy Miner of Hiawatha; a sister Kathleen Smith (Larry) of Tonganoxie, KS; grandchildren: Craig Hayes (Tara), Jennifer Breeding (Michiel), Jessica Blush (Austin), Jon Middendorf (Brittany), Kyle Miner (Brenna); and several great-grandchildren.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Laura Gibbs; and his son Mike in 2011. Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha, with Pastor Mike Dunaway of the NEK Partnership officiating. Interment followed at Corneilson Cemetery, east of Reserve, KS.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Brown County Humane Society, Hiawatha Volunteer Fire Dept. or Brown County Ag Museum, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha, KS 66434. www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com
