I have another belated passing to sadly report: Danny Minton, who started with the Class of 1958 before his parents Gertrude Holbrook Minton and Theodore Minton returned to Kentucky, passed away in 2015 in Wadsworth, Ohio, which is about 15 miles from my Tallmadge home.

Danny’s sister, Lucille Minton Pringle, Class of 1953, of Mentor, Ohio, also attended Monongah High, recalled Jim McDaniel, Class of 1960, who made the email inquiry that led to my search for what happened to Danny. Lucille is the widow of Bill Pringle, in my Class of 1950.

When I informed Jim, he replied:

“John:  That is really sad news.  Danny was a great guy and we were good friends.  They must have moved before school started for his senior year. 

“I was thinking that your sister (Jackie, Class of 1955) may remember Lucille, as she was older than me.  The other sister mentioned (in the obituary) I do not remember.

“You are right. When checking on people, never know what you will find.

"Thanks for checking for me. 

“i just found out recently that a guy I served with in the Air force passed on in 2010. Guess we are at the age when a lot of friends are passing on.  

“Jim”

It was Duane Harbert, Class of 1951, who lives in Marlton, New Jersey, who brought Bill and Lucille together. 

Let Duane explain:

“Their first date was a double date with Mary (Duane’s wife) and me. I was home on leave from the Navy and I think Bill might have been on leave from the Army.

“At the time Lucille lived with her family in the house between our house and the Baptist Church in Worthington. Lucille graduated from Monongah High” before the family moved from West Virginia.

Bill was born in Fairview to Nyla Shriver Pringle and Frank Pringle, who later moved to Worthington where Bill and Lucille met, thanks to a nudge from Duane and Mary Harbert.

Bill and Lucille lived in Chardon for a long time before moving to nearby Mentor.

Lucille was a librarian at Monongah High. Bill loved restoring old cars.

Danny played football and basketball for Monongah High, including with the 1956 state runnersup grid team. And he was in the Monongah High band, always one of the best in the state.

Danny was born in Letcher County, with its county seat in Whitesburg in eastern Kentucky.

He moved around a bit, from Kentucky to Virginia to Tennessee before spending his final 25 years in Wadsworth. He also traveled, courtesy of the U.S. Navy, during the Vietnam War.

Danny and his widow, Lynn Fowler, had three children – Judy Minton Lopez of Piedras Negras, Mexico; Robert Minton of Louisville, Kentucky; and Cindy Minton White of Fishervile, Kentucky – and six grandchildren.

Danny’s obituary:

Wadsworth –
Daniel A. Minton, 76, of Wadsworth passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at his residence.

He was born February 23, 1939 in Letcher County, KY to the late Theodore and Gertrude (Holbrook) Minton and lived in Virginia and Tennessee before settling down in Wadsworth for the past 25 years.

Dan served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He married Lynn Fowler on September 12, 1964; she survives. He was employed by Diebold where he established and managed the film lab for 35 years until his retirement in 2002.

Dan was a member of Northside Christian Church and enjoyed his job and being involved in the church. He was a true serveaholic and will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to know him.

Surviving in addition to his wife are children, Judy (Carlos) Lopez of Piedras Negras, Mexico, Robert (Beth) Minton of Louisville, KY and Cindy (Andy) White of Fisherville, KY; grandchildren, Cindy, Laura, Anna, Emma, Aidan and Lydia; sisters, Lucille Pringle of Mentor and Ricki (Wayne) Huron of Avon; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Northside Christian Church, 7615 Ridge Rd., Wadsworth, OH with Pastor Robin L. Hart officiating. Inurnment will take place at 2:30 PM on Friday, March 20, at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

Friends may call Sunday, March 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the church and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Northside Christian Church, c/o Missions Committee.

For online register book, obituary, condolences, visit www.gillmanfuneralhome.com