Elaine Isabel Mininger

     Elaine Isabel Mininger was born to William and Elizabeth Peters Mininger on December 31, 1924, in Gratiot County Michigan.  For ninety-seven years this was her home until she passed away on July 31, 2022.

     Elaine was the sixth of ten children, and she spent many happy hours working and playing on their small Michigan farm.  Country life was simpler then.  Elaine could remember her dad farming with horses; and she walked to the country schoolhouse where she received her eighth grade education.  Elaine maintained this quiet lifestyle throughout her life. While she was still young, Elaine committed her life to the Lord and was baptized March 16, 1938 by Grandpa H.J. Mininger. She treasured her walk with the Lord and was faithful to Him and those vows until the very end.

      Elaine began her employment with several house help jobs.  When a Wolverine Worldwide factory opened its doors in Ithaca, she was one of the first employees. She inspected shoes there over thirty years until that branch closed and she retired. Some of the family had already established their own homes when heartbreak struck in 1950, and their father passed away shortly before his fifty-eighth birthday. Years later, Elaine still had vivid dreams with him as the central character.  

     One by one her family members continued to move from the home place until, after her mother’s passing in 1977, only Elaine remained. She lived there for more than forty years. “Grandma’s house” evolved into “Elaine’s house,” and it remained the center of the Will Mininger family.  The doors were always open to welcome any family from near or far, and Elaine hosted the family Christmas every year.  Visitors were encouraged by their time with her; she made everyone feel special because, to her, everyone was special. Occasionally, she would reference Isaiah 54:1b, “For more are the children of the desolate, than the children of the married wife.”

     Fifteen nieces, eighteen nephews and a host of grandnieces and grandnephews affectionately called her, “Aunt Elaine.” As long as she was able, she remembered them with cards and gifts on their birthday and at Christmas time.  When they stopped to visit, she always offered pop and candy, and if any of them were there at mealtime, she delighted in serving the pizza which was always on hand in her freezer. Michigan’s lakes, rivers, and snowy winters were special to Elaine, but she also enjoyed traveling to other areas and meeting new people. Reading filled many of her quiet hours; she preferred books of fact—not fiction. When disease robbed her eyesight, she was thankful for the audio books program; she said it helped preserve her sanity. 

     Elaine was thankful for the excellent care she received during her four years at Masonic Pathways, and all the family is grateful for their compassionate service. While there, she continued to wave love’s banner high as she freely told both workers and fellow residents about her Jesus.   The family is thankful that, as Elaine’s end drew near, she was transferred to the new hospice suite at Maple View. There a small band of loved ones kept vigil at her bedside. She was beyond responding to their love, but was comforted by the songs which were sung. 

      Surviving Elaine are a sister Ruth Nichols of Dodge City, Kansas; a brother Donald and Gretta Mininger of Ithaca, Michigan; and two sisters-in-law: Barbara Mininger of Cumberland, Wisconsin; and LaFreda Mininger of Barron, Wisconsin; and three generations of nieces and nephews. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, three brothers, one sister-in-law and six brothers-in-law.

     Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 10:30 A.M. at the Newark Mennonite Church with Ministers Darin Litwiller, Mike Litwiller, and Gary Mininger officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 2-8 P.M. with the family present 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the church. Burial will take place at Hayes Rd Cemetery.

     Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.