Don Minich passed away March 18, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Don is survived by his wife Sharon Minich, his son Gary Minich, grandson Gavin Minich, step grandsons Grant and Garret Mayse, brothers-in-law Jim Parsons, John Frankenfield, and Jim (Judy) Barnes, numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Don was preceded in death by his mother Anna Horn, father Charles Minich, and brother Billy Joe Minich.
Donald Ray Minich was born in La Due, Missouri on October 8, 1935, to Charles and Anna Minich. Don spent his early childhood years attending school in La Due and later attended high school at Clinton Senior High School.
Don was united in marriage with Sharon (Barnes) on June 2, 1956. They would have been married 67 years this upcoming June. The couple ultimately settled in Clinton, Missouri in 1958. Don enlisted in the U.S. Army in the fall of 1957 and began his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Army Garrison and then to Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas until 1961. Coincidentally, Elvis Presley served in the same unit at the time. However, Don and Elvis never seemed to be acquainted on a first-name basis. Following his duty, Don was active in the National Guard for 10 years.
Don was a member of the Iron Workers Local 10 for which he spent 30 years in the Iron Workers trade. He worked at many locations throughout the Midwest including the various KCP&L power plant locations in the surrounding areas. He retired from the Iron Workers in the early 1990’s. Don was a long-time member of the Clinton Elks Lodge recently attaining his 50-year membership pin.
Don enjoyed a passion for gardening. At the peak of his gardening years, he maintained three large garden areas which included a variety of vegetables and fruits. For years Don would grow many large plump tomatoes many of which were happily given away to family and friends. And he had many takers for those delicious tomatoes. Don and Sharon spent many autumns canning and juicing from the wonderful bounty supplied from Don’s gardens.
Over the years, Don enjoyed many other outdoor passions including fishing. There were many trout fishing trips with his fishing buddies to Bennett Springs and Lake Taneycomo. There were crappie fishing trips with Sharon on their boat on Truman Lake. Don was also known to catch some very large catfish out of Truman Lake. And way back in the day, there were trips with family and friends to the old cabin on the Osage River. Don’s last fishing trip to Bennett Springs was opening day, 2021 with his son Gary. Don enjoyed spending time with his son Gary and grandson Gavin in various activities around his property. Gary and Don spent countless days together on various projects. It all centered around Don’s “shop”, in which he spent much of his time. A large outbuilding with all the tools and comforts, decked with antiques Don loved to collect, it was Don’s true sanctuary. Don was known to start his day very early in the morning and in the winter months he would have the wood stacked and a fire stoked in the shop wood stove by 4:00 AM.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel Clinton, MO with Rev. David Mills officiating. Special music included “Amazing Grace and Go Rest High.” The casket bearers were Michael Parsons, Chad Parks, Garret Mayes, Jimmy Barnes, Boyd Hughes and Grant Mayes. Interment followed in Englewood Cemetery Clinton, MO. Military honors were under the direction of VFW Post #1894 and the US Army.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
