Numidia - Rev. Edmund William Minnich, of Numidia and formerly of Danville, stepped into Heaven on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the age of 98 years and one month! He was born at home in Wilburton #1, Pa., to Eva Elizabeth (Stibitz) Minnich, a homemaker and George Sylvester Minnich, a coal miner, on Dec. 11, 1927.

Rev. Minnich was a 1946 graduate of Conyngham Township High School in Aristes, Pa. He graduated from Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia in 1950, then from Taylor University, Upland, Indiana in 1954. In 1952, he married Martha Lucretia (Whittern) Minnich from Monroeville, Ind. He started his ministry in the Methodist denomination with a five church charge in Bedford County, Pa.: Schellsburg, Manns Choice, New Paris, Hyndman, and Bedford Circuit/Stone Creek. During this time, he also graduated from Wesley Seminary in Westminster, Md. In 1957, he was transferred to Petersburg, Pa.; in 1961 to Burnham, Pa., in 1964 to Trinity United Methodist Church in Danville, Pa., followed by Hanover in 1980, Keeneyville, and Tower City, Pa. After his retirement he continued to serve as interim pastor at multiple small churches until well into his nineties. The highlight of his ministry was seeing God's hand at work as his churches grew, even leading one through the construction of a new building.

On June 1, 1985, he married Mary Ann (Bockus) Minnich.

In addition to his work as a minister, Ed was active as a member of the fire company and as an ambulance driver in Burnham and Danville. He was active with the chaplain ministry at Geisinger, always willing to visit a patient when called. Rev. Minnich loved serving his community and was often seen out and about. He served on the Danville Area School Board in the 1970s, and even ran (unsuccessfully) for mayor.

He enjoyed deer hunting, dressed in his red plaid jacket, with an old 30-30 open sight rifle, while his hunting buddies, Carl Buterbaugh and sons, Rick and Mike, carried the newest innovative equipment. He conversed on-air with fellow Ham Radio Operators, and spent some time in Radio Broadcasting with WPGM, including announcing the high school football games. His house was always filled with music, even though he said the only instrument he could play was the radio.

Rev. Minnich was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eva Minnich; his sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and John Colahan; two brothers in childhood, Bertram and Franklin; multiple aunts and uncles; his niece Emma Lonsdale; his nephew James Colahan; a great-nephew John Kobilis and seven preborn grandbabies.

Rev. Minnich is survived by his wife, Mary Ann of Numidia; his children and their spouses: Helen and Robert Walter, of Selinsgrove; Betty and Ronald Brubaker, of Selinsgrove; and Robert and Teressa (Shockey) Minnich, of Soldotna, Alaska; five grandchildren: Benjamin and Brooklyn Walter; Megan (Walter) and Josh Owens; Elizabeth (Minnich) and Andi Bilderback; Kathryn (Walter) and Rob Lynch; Lauren (Walter) and Jared Larrick; 17 great-grandchildren: Annabelle Walter, Alexandra (Walter) and John Byler, Austin, Augustus, and Ayrton Walter; Trent and Matilda Moralis Boots, Samantha (Boots) and Daniel Roman; Ian and Emily Owens, Evalin, Louis, and Porter Owens; Tyler, Zoe and Nathan Lynch; Grayson, Rylan and Hayden Larrick; one great-great-grandbaby due in June, and three nieces: Jackie Kobilis, Nancy Confair and Donna Flaim, and great-nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 16, from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. Rev. Minnich's funeral services will be held at Catawissa First United Methodist Church, 228 South St, Catawissa, Pa., with Pastor Susan Knorr and Pastor John Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Grace United Church of Christ, Mill Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charitable organization, in Memory of Rev. Minnich.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Brady Funeral Home of Danville. Please send messages of remembrance and support to BradyFuneralHome.com.