Negaunee – Ila B. Minard, age 85, longtime Newberry resident passed away on Wednesday March 24, 2010 at the Woodland Assisted Living Facility in Negaunee, while under the loving care of her family and the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice.


Ila was born January 31, 1925 in Bay Shore, MI the daughter of Arthur and Elsie (Bailey) O'Dell. She received her nursing education thru the Nurses Cadet Corps. Ila worked as a Registered Nurse at various public hospitals including Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. She also worked with the Luce Co. Health Department for several years. While in Newberry, Ila was a member of the Newberry United Methodist Church. She enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Newberry Garden Club. Ila also enjoyed quilting, having made beautiful quilts for her children and grandchildren. She and her late husband Jack loved to square dance together.


Survivors include a son Jim (Amy) Minard of Ishpeming, a daughter Judy (Scott) Petersen of Mankato, MN, a sister Ruth Witte of Petoskey, a brother Gerald O'Dell of Oregon, 7 grandchildren – Jim (Erin) Minard Jr., Matena (Matt) Coron, Alisa (Josh) Moore, Maria Minard, Catie (Joe) Whitmore, Marc (Courtney) Petersen, Elizabeth Petersen, a great granddaughter Audrey Minard, along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack M. Minard in 2001, an infant daughter Susan Minard, along with 2 sisters and 2 brothers.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00 – 3:00pm on Saturday March 27, 2010 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 3:00pm with Pastor Randy Reed to officiate. Interment will take place at the Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry. A light luncheon will follow the services at the Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church.