Samuel ‘Sam’ A. Minton, 85, of Centralia, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Fireside Nursing Home in Centralia.
Sam was born May 30, 1937, in Pinckneyville, IL, the son of William Houston Minton and Ruthie (Lueker) Minton. He married Josepine Kilani (Crockett) Minton on August 3, 1962, in Hawaii and she preceded him in death.
Sam is survived by his children: Rufus Sonognini, Patricia Reyes, Puanani Vehara, and Mary Yasdanpour; fifteen grandchildren including Cody Minton; brother: Monti Minton; sister: Ruth Alice Younkers; and many nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son William Minton and sister Mary Anna Nollman.
The Navy allowed Sam to have an interesting and joyful life. Sam enlisted in the Navy in Aug. 1955 in St. Louis, Mo. He was assigned to the USS George Mackenzie, which was a destroyer patrolling the South Pacific. In 1959, Sam re-enlisted at Yokosuka, Japan. During this time he transferred to McMurdo Station, Antarctica as part of the Antarctica Support Activities. 1965 Sam re-enlisted again at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. 1971 brought about his last re-enlistment which took place at Christchurch, New Zealand. In 1975, Sam transferred to the Naval Reserves where he was stationed in New Orleans, La, and discharged in 1976 at Long Beach, Ca. During his time of service to his country, Sam was awarded 4 Good Conduct Medals, a Presidential Unit Citation, a Vietnam Service Medal and Ribbon, a National Defense Service Medal, an RVN Meritorious Unit Citation, and an Antarctica Service Medal. He was proud of being a Veteran and was very patriotic. He was a member of the Fleet Reserves Association.
Per Sam’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and no public services will be held. In memory of Sam, memorial donations may be made to the American Legion Post 446 in Centralia and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, Illinois 62801 (618) 532-3523, which is honored to be of service to the Minton family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
