William H. Minnear
February 13, 1877-April 14, 1952
The Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, April 14, 1952, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
BERRIEN SPRINGS, April 14—William H. Minnear, 75, owner of Bill-Rose Orchards, died this morning at 3:50 a.m. At this home following a long illness. Funeral services will be held from the McLauchlin funeral home here Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. With the Rev. Charles Zatt, of Evansville, Ind., officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday evening and until time for the services.
Minnear was born in Houghton on Feb. 13, 1877. He resided in Northern Michigan and operated brokerage offices with his brother there until acquiring the Bill-Rose Orchards 29 years ago. He married Rose De Leury in 1899. She died March 18, 1939. He married Daisy I. Minnear in Chicago on Aug. 22, 1942. She survives along with a son, Earl, of Niles, and two sisters in California, two nephews; and a niece.
He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal church at Houghton; a life member of Western State Lodge No. 39, F and AM, of Berrien Springs; the Francis M. Moore consistory, SPRS-32; Amhed Temple, AOMS, of Marquette; charter member of Modonna White Shrine of Jerusalem in Niles; member of the Niles-Cass Shrine club; the Tri-County Shrine club, of St. Joseph, and the South Bend Shrine club.