Dr. John A. Minneman

Dr. John A. Minneman

Washington

Dr. John Addison Minneman, DVM, age 91, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 12, 2025.

Born in Salina, Kansas, John was the second of five children of Theodore C. and Helen (Crawford) Minneman. He grew up between home and his grandparents’ farm in Tescott, Kansas, often recalling that he rode a horse to school. A graduate and class president of Tescott High School, he went on to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was part of the burial corps at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

After his service, John earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University on the GI Bill. He met and married Mary Elaine Thurston in 1959 and had 4 children together. He practiced in Winfield and Ottumwa, Iowa, before establishing a large-animal practice in Stronghurst, Illinois, and upon divorce he later established a successful veterinary practice in Washington, Iowa.

In Washington, John met and married Patricia “Pat” Harris, his wife of 48 years until her passing in July of this year. He enjoyed playing cards, golfing, fishing, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs, K-State Wildcats and Iowa Hawkeyes. Known for his homemade ice cream and love of Klondike bars, he always found time for a sweet treat with family.

To his loved ones, he was simply “Dad,” “Grandpa,” “Papa,” or “ChaCha.”

John was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; his parents; a sister; two brothers; and a stepson. He is survived by four children: Stacey Clark and husband Christopher of Harwich, Massachusetts; Stefanie Chace and husband John of Norman, Oklahoma, John Minneman and wife Melissa of Panama City Beach, Florida, Shelley Maffett and husband Jeff of St. Augustine, Florida; nine grandchildren: Kathryn Chace Ulriksen, Mitchell Clark, Jared Chace, Morgan Clark, Zachary Maffett, Jacob Maffett, Meadow Clark, Nicholas Maffett, and Claire Maffett; three great-grandchildren: Adaline, Finn and Alice Ulriksen; his brother Joe of Peoria, Illinois; stepchildren, John Harris of Washington, Iowa and Jennifer Harris Sojka of Nashville, Tennessee; and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Interment will take place in a private ceremony at the National Veterans Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii where he was honored to have served his country.