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Miner, John Obituary

Miner, John attended Horace Mann High School in Gary, IN. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Miner, John.

Graduation Year Class of 1957
Date of Passing Aug 29, 2008
About John Miner passed away in his home on Aug. 29, 2008, after a long battle with lung cancer, surrounded by Martha, his wife of 42 years, his two sons David and Aaron, and his sister Ruth. He was 69.

He was born on July 8, 1939, in Woodstock, Ill. to Leslie and Arvella Miner. He graduated from Horace Mann High School in Gary, Ind. in 1957. He then attended Indiana University in Indianapolis, Ind. and Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

John enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1961, and served four years that included a three-year tour of duty as a missile technician in West Germany. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he began his career at IBM. He retired in 1995 after 30 years of dedicated service.
During his career he had one patent attributed to him and was integral to the development of the PC. After retiring from IBM, he was employed with JD Edwards as a computer consultant until 2002.

John was a member of Masonic Lodge number 21 in Rochester, Minn. and of the Osman Temple of St. Paul, Minn. As a Shriner, he was a member of the Dragon Patrol of Rochester and participated in parades that raise funds for Shrine Hospitals. The Shrine Hospitals provide free medical care to children with burns, spinal cord injury, cleft lip and palate, and orthopedic problems. All care is financed by Shriners and from wills, bequests and donations. John volunteered many hours and was honored to be a member of this charitable organization.

John was an accomplished woodworker, making furniture and toys for his family and friends. He also fulfilled his lifelong dream of flying by earning his private pilot certificate and instrument rating in the 1970s. John was a person who used his knowledge of energy and materials to develop practical solutions whether it be assisting family and friends solving computer problems, being a webmaster, or assisting friends and relatives with home improvement projects.

He married the former Martha Regan on March 5. 1966. They moved from Ainsworth, Ind. to Rochester in 1970, and lived there until 2007 at which time they moved to Green Valley, Ariz. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha; his son David and his wife Kristi; his son Aaron and his wife Penny; his two grandchildren, Ben and Noah; his brother Leslie; sisters Joann and Ruth; along with numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at Valley Presbyterian Church in Green Valley, Ariz. on Sept. 13, 2008, at 11 a.m. Masonic and memorial services will be held at Community Presbyterian Church in Rochester, Minn. on Oct. 4th at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, John has requested memorials to the American Cancer Society or Shriners Hospitals for children.
Miner, John