p class="MsoNormal"""died Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Genesys Hospice in Goodrich, Michigan. ;"He was born February 9, 1921 to the late Walton Edwards and Myrtle (Root) Minkler in Flint, Michigan. ;"He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-45 in North Africa and Italy, including the battle at Anzio. ;"He was wounded and captured on Mt. Belvedere, Italy and remained a POW until the end of the war. ;"Upon his return to Flint, he worked as a union carpenter and farmer until retirement. ;"After retirement he made hundreds of wood items, large and small, for family and friends all stamped with 'WJM'. ;"John Minkler married Sarah Jane (Sally) Diehl on April 14, 1951. ;"In 1960 they moved their family to the farm. ;"Throughout the years, John and Sally hosted many, many dinners, picnics and weekends of camping at the pond with family and friends. ;"Survivors include, Sally, his wife of 62 years; four daughters, Cynthia and Michael Cheshier, Jennifer Conklin, Loretta and Christopher Crawford, Sarah and Craig Leavitt; one son, Walton Jeffrey and Amy Minkler; Eight grandchildren, Brook Butler, Sarah Fondren, Elaina Conklin, Jon Leavitt, Walton Jay Minkler, Andrew Leavitt, Evan John Crawford and Samantha Minkler; seven great grandchildren, Paige, Daniel and Taylor Fondren, Emma, William and Jeffrey Butler and Cara Minkler; one sister Betty Cushman; one brother, Donald Minkler. ;"He was preceded in death by his son-in-law Thomas Conklin. ;