George Orville Minard, 86, of De Soto, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on his farm Tuesday, January 21, 2014. He was born in Chicago, Illinois October 10, 1927. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served on the initial commissioning of the destroyer U.S.S. Floyd B. Parks. Then in 1947 he enlisted in the Army and served with the 82^nd Airborne Paratroopers as a medic for two years. Following that, he did vision testing in downtown Chicago for Korean War draftees.

He met and married his wife, Frances Beheler of Barnwell, South Carolina while in the service. George was a master layout planer for Douglas Aircraft in California. After moving to Tinley Park, Illinois in 1959 he worked for Argonne National Laboratories for 10 years. In 1970 he and his wife purchased and operated a dairy farm outside of De Soto, Wisconsin until retiring in 1989. He and his wife were square dancers for 28 years. George was a member of the American Legion Post 246 in Genoa and De Soto.

He is survived by his wife Frances and three daughters, Penny McLain, Sandra Hanschen, and Georgia Minard; son-in-law Mark Michel, 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, brother, Ervin (Heidi) Minard and many wonderful neighbors and friends.

Preceding him in death was, daughter Marilyn Michel, granddaughter Angel Michel, and son-in-law Michael Hanschen. 

There will be a memorial service held at a later date with an announcement. Family suggests giving memorials to a hospice or charity of your choice. Coulee Region Cremation Group of Onalaska, Wisconsin is assisting the family.