"My condolences to the Mink family. I worked with Ed on Sands EMS, and always enjoyed his enthusiasm to providing care to our community. Rest in piece Ed!"
Major Wesley Edward "Ed" Mink (U.S. Air Force Ret), 78, of Gwinn, died peacefully Saturday morning, April 17, 2021 at his home with his loving family at his side and under the care of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
He was born November 19, 1942 in Sacramento, CA, a son of Wesley S. and Norma Jean (Semrau) Mink.
Ed attended and graduated from a Sacramento High School in 1960. He was a learned man who earned a Bachelor's degree in science & math from American River University in 1964, a Bachelor's degree in life science & anthropology from Sacramento State University in 1966, Master's degrees in administrative services from NMU in 1986 and in counseling in 1987. He also was taking Hebrew Learning classes online and working towards a PhD in religious education prior to his passing.
Ed served in the US Naval Reserve as a radar man in a destroyer squadron from 1962 to 1966. He joined the US Air Force in October 1966 and served as a pilot and instructor pilot for the KC-135 and B-52H bomber. He was a Vietnam veteran serving in 1968 and 1969 and had two flying tours in 1971 & 1972. Ed retired on October 31, 1986 with the rank of Major.
Following his retirement, Ed served as a pastor of Superior Country Baptist Church in Germfask and was a licensed lay Baptist Minister providing pulpit supply throughout the UP and Northern Wisconsin. He also was a graduate of a seminary for the ELCA.
Ed also worked as a firefighter EMT for the Sacramento Area Fire Department, was a member of the Sands Township Emergency Medical Services and worked for the City of Ishpeming Fire Department as an EMT Specialist.
He was a life member of the Gwinn VFW Post 5760, the DAV, Air Force Association and American Rifle Association.
Ed is survived by his wife, Jane L. (Richardson) Mink of Gwinn, whom he married September 8, 1978 in Marquette; children, John C. (Nina) Mink of Appleton, WI, Dr. Woodrow "Marq" (Michelle) Friend of Nicholasville, KY, Wesley J. (Andrea) Mink of Caledonia, MI and Mary M. (Kelsey) McMaster of Gwinn; special son, Bret Moock of Nicholasville, KY; former son-in-law, Jim Larson, of Gwinn; grandchildren, Nicholas & Julius Mink, Anabelle, Woodrow, Tristan and Clayton Friend, Autumn Elise, Samuel and Theodore Mink, Tequila and Jimmi Larson; step-sister, Karen (Joseph) Maier of Sun River, OR; good friend, Ralph Guetersloh of Galena, MO; and nieces, Erin Holmes of Eden, UT and Raina Cole of McMinnville, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Joseph Chipman; step-mother, Lona Mink; and sister, Andrea Chipman.
The family would like to thank Dr. Chris Dehlin, UP Home Health & Hospice, Tequila Larson and Mary Mink for the wonderful care they provided.
A Celebration of Ed's Life will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Gwinn VFW Post. Military Honors will be provided by the US Air Force and the Little Lake Legion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Gwinn United Methodist Church Family Ministry Fund, 251 W. Jasper Street, Gwinn, MI 49841.
Canale-Gwinn Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com
"My condolences to the Mink family. I worked with Ed on Sands EMS, and always enjoyed his enthusiasm to providing care to our community. Rest in piece Ed!"
"I worked at Stan/Eval back in 1974 and had the opportunity to meet and work with Ed. He was always a gentleman and proficient in what he did. I stayed in the Marquette area following my leaving the Air Force in '76 and hadn't thought of Ed since that time. Reading his obit in the Mining Journal brought back fond memories of a genuinely good person. Rest in Peace Ed. My condolences to the family. "
"My condolences to Jane and the family. I worked with both Ed and John on the Sands EMT program Ed will be missed by those who?ve known him"