Blake B. Minich, 93, a lifelong resident of Center Township, currently a resident at the Heritage House in North East, Erie County, died at 11:05 a.m. Thursday at the Heritage House.

Born May 23, 1915, in Mayport, Clarion County, he was the son of the late Norman R. Minich and the late Carrie V. Snyder Minich.

Mr. Minich was a shearman for Armco, where he retired in January 1978.

He attended the Unionville Presbyterian Church. Mr. Minich was a member of the American Legion Post 117 of Butler and the Joseph T. Black VFW Post 249, Butler.

He enjoyed playing cards, gardening, hunting and fishing.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in World War II as a 3rd class petty officer and gunners mate.

Mr. Minich is survived by one son, Robert Minich and his wife, Shirley, of North East, one granddaughter, Mrs. Lori Kuhn and her husband, David, of Pittsburgh; one grandson, Kevin Minich of Butler; two great-grandchildren, Evan and Blake Kuhn; one sister, Muren Beachem of Cocoa, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Minich was preceded in death by his wife, Freda Hockenberry Minich, who he married Aug. 22, 1936. She passed away Nov. 26, 1999. He also was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters.

<B>MINICH</B> — Friends of Blake B. Minich, who died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc.</B>, 124 E. North St. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Dan Calahan, former pastor of the Unionville Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenlawn Burial Estates.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.