Norman Minich, age 98, Frederick, MD, passed away on March 5, 2024.

Norman spent 62 years married to the love of his life, Joanne Minich. She passed away on October 2, 2019. He is survived by his daughters, Jeannine Willey (Christopher), Cross Junction, VA; Janice Milkis, Frederick, MD: Ruth Hobson (Gary), Richmond, VA; and two grandsons, Ian and Christopher.

Norman was born on October 29, 1926, the son of Urban & Anna Minich, Gibsonburg, Ohio. Norman grew up on an Ohio farm, was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. After graduation from Gibsonburg High School in 1944, Norman enlisted in the Navy and graduated from the Naval Air School in Memphis, TN. After being discharged he received a BS degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from the Evangelical Lutheran Theological (now Trinity) Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.

Norman began his ministry at First Lutheran Church in Fairport Harbor, Ohio where he met his future wife, Joanne M. Hirz. They were married in 1957. Norman then served for twelve and a half years as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brook Park Ohio which he organized as a new mission congregation. Norman was granted a scholarship to attend the graduate school at University of Pennsylvania where he received a Master of City Planning degree.

He was called by the Lutheran Council in the USA to assist three Lutheran denominations in planning new mission congregations throughout the United States. He served in this ministry as Regional Planning Director and as the Executive Director of the Division of Mission and Ministry. He concluded his active ministry by organizing Ascension Lutheran Church Washington Crossing, PA, which he served for six years.

After retirement Norman served as an interim minister for three congregations in Pennsylvania and Delaware. He and Joanne retired to Dover, DE where they lived for 13 years. In 2007 they moved to Frederick, MD to be near their daughters and where they became members of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fredrick, MD.

A memorial service to celebrate his life was held at Homewood at Frederick, Frederick, MD on April 26th. There will be an internment service for Norman and Joane on Saturday, August 2nd in the West Union Cemetery, Gibsonburg, Ohio on Saturday morning.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brook Park, OH; Ascension Lutheran Church, Newtown, PA; or Tree of Life Lutheran Church, Odessa, DE.