SHINGLEHOUSE, Pa.---John A. Minderler, 82, of Shinglehouse,
passed away with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, in
UPMC Williamsport, after an unexpected illness.
Born on Thursday, January 13, 1938 in Olean, N.Y., he was a
son of Lawrence J. and Hellen Chamberlin Minderler. On August 5, 1961 in St. Bonaventure Catholic
Church, he married Zita M. McChesney, who passed away on November 12, 1995.
He was a graduate of Allegany (N.Y.) High school. John was drafted into US Army serving in
Germany during the Vietnam War.
John was employed as a mechanic in the service station of
Sears Roebuck in Olean. While employed
there, he also worked as a mechanic at the former Ahl’s Service Station in
Shinglehouse. He later was employed as a
machinist by the former Clark Brothers (which became Dresser Rand) in Olean for
many years until his retirement.
A civic minded man, John was a 50 year life member of the
Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department, where he was a past chief, past
president, served on the Board of Directors, was an EMT, ambulance president,
Bingo captain, and had served in many other capacities throughout the
years. He was one of the founding
members of the Potter County Fire Departments Chief’s Association, a member of
the Allegany (NY) and Tri-County Fireman’s Association, a member of the Potter
County Local Emergency Planning Committee, a Potter County Fire Coordinator,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Forest Fire Warden, and a Potter County Emergency
Management Coordinator for Shinglehouse and numerous townships in the
area. He also served on the Potter
County Hazmat Response Unit. John was
also a 42 year active member of the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530 where
he served several times as commander and had held many other positions in the
organization. He was an active member of
the Potter County Honor Guard. He had
previously served as mayor of Shinglehouse for 9 years.
John loved the outdoors, enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved to go to camp at the old family farm
in Allegany with his brother, Larry. He
most importantly treasured spending time with his children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, brother, and nieces.
Left to cherish his memory are five children, Bonita L.
(Douglas) Estes of Shinglehouse, Edward C. “Eddie” (Jeff) Minderler of Cypress,
Texas; James F. “Jimmie” (Cheryl) Minderler, Denise M. Minderler, and Lisa J.
(Bryan) Louser, all of Shinglehouse; seven grandchildren, Dr. Ashley M.
(Matthew Balthrop) Minderler, Buck A. (Autumn) Jackson, Danielle C. (Brandon)
Myers, Megan A. (Aric) Stewart, Kylee A. (Ryan) Bachand, Jamie L. Minderler,
and James F. Minderler, Jr.; thirteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Lawrence
Minderler of Hamburg, N.Y.; and several nieces.
In addition to his parents and wife, John was predeceased by
a granddaughter, Katie Lynn Freelove.
In keeping with John’s wishes, there will be no public
visitation. A celebration of John’s life
will be held on a date and place to be announced. Burial with full military honors will he held
in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the
Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 475, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or
to the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, 1364 SR 44S, Shinglehouse, PA
16748.
John’s family has entrusted his care and cremation
arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L.
Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences or share a fond memory of John,
please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook
page.
