MINEER, Kelly Leon

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 10/15/2004 Kelly Leon Mineer, 69, died at his home in St. Johns Oct. 10, 2004, surrounded by his loving wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kelly was born in St. Johns Feb. 6, 1935, one of five children born to Carl and Leola (Love) Mineer. Shortly after graduating from St. Johns High School in 1953, he married his sweetheart Karen Whiting July 30, 1954. Together they made a home and raised their six children in St. Johns. Kelly retired from the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures in 2000 to begin his full-time job as "Papa." He enjoyed people and being outdoors but his greatest love was his grandchildren and was happiest spending time with them. Kelly is survived by his wife of 50 years Karen Whiting Mineer; children, Terri (Roger) Heap of St. Johns, Judy (David) Bergen of Ogden, Utah, Kirby (Josie) Mineer of St. Johns, Margot (Isaiah) Gibson of Vidor, Texas, Mark (Tish) Mineer of Phoenix, Kristi (Jim) Zieler of St. Johns; 25 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and the countless friends he made everywhere he went. Funeral services were held at the downtown chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in St. Johns Wednesday, Oct. 10. Funeral arrangements were made by Burnham-Jewkes Mortuary of Springerville.