Harold Edward Miner

Harold E. Miner, 92, of New Alexandria

September 25, 1932 — September 26, 2024

Harold Edward Miner, 92, beloved husband, father, friend and “a good neighbor” passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024, with family and friends, at IHG Latrobe Hospital during hospice care following a short series of illnesses. His death brings to a close the amazing story of “those three Miner boys” from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Born September 25, 1932, in Chambersburg, Hal, as he was known to just about everyone, was the third son and child of the late Charles Harper Miner and Naomi Edith (McCans) Miner. Like his six-foot four-inch stature, he lived larger than life. His was a true “American story.” Hal idolized his oldest brother John Alvin Miner who was nicknamed “Frog” thereby garnering him the moniker of “Tadpole” throughout the community. Along with his other brother, Walter Eugene Miner, they were known throughout the city for their character and community involvement. His parents were deeply committed to their church, and he rarely missed a Sunday service growing up. He attended Chambersburg High School, in the Class of 1951. While his father and brothers shot guns and 7-irons, Hal made his mark in the world shooting from the free-throw line as a star high school basketball player. He was an artist at heart and played the accordion. Work was a virtue for the Miner boys. During high school he worked as a janitor and a stable hand at the local college where he fell in love with being around horses. The nation’s military draft took him to Korea during the war as an infantry soldier and chaplain’s assistant. He returned from the war and in 1955 he married a high school classmate, Charliene Jones. Together they had two sons, Timothy and Patrick, while he was attending Morris Harvey College in Charleston, West Virginia, where he played collegiate basketball. Initially he planned to fulfill his parents’ wishes for him to be a minister, but later he changed his major to become a schoolteacher in Washington, D.C. and suburban Maryland. He was the first member in family history to graduate with a degree. As a social studies teacher he always had a second job as a salesman like his father. He also supplemented his income with positions as an assistant high school basketball coach where he won the state championship one year. His service in Korea and the inner city of Washington broadened his perspective and he grew to see the beauty of diversity and the holiness in everyone around him. He never forgot the serenity of his relationship with horses and one day he showed up with an Appaloosa colt which became a resident in the garage. In the early 1970’s major changes came with the end of his marriage after 18 years and a career change to sell insurance full-time. By 1974 he had met and married Janet Louise Hranko (Jan). Together they moved back to her hometown in Greensburg where they put down deep roots permanently in the soil of the Commonwealth. He spent over 50 years with the State Farm Insurance Company, and shared and supported Jan’s passion for horse ownership and riding. His love of people and his ability to share laughter with everyone made him a very successful businessman and salesman. His clients and colleagues were more than a business relationship, they became family and friends. He loved his community and the people around him. He was the go-to in Greensburg for evaluating stamp collections, a passion he shared for many years. With the humble heart of a servant, he tried to do good, be kind, and minister in his own way wherever he could. Just after celebrating his 51st wedding anniversary with Jan and with his 92nd birthday in sight he reluctantly announced his retirement from the business that he loved and that sustained his spirit. He never got to celebrate that retirement. Just two weeks prior his body grew ill. Within sixty days he entered hospice where Jan was the last person he would interact with and share a smile before he closed his eyes. He is survived by his wife, Jan, his sons and daughters-in-law, Timothy (Cecilia) and Patrick (Dottie); his grandchildren, Jimmy, Marla, Mandi, and Abigail; and his great-grandson, Jackson. He is also survived by his nephews, Dane (Kelly) and George Kirby (Jeannine). He is predeceased by his daughter, Beth Anne. Two individuals who deserve status as family-in-spirit are his office manager Brenda who worked with him for 31 years and their horse tender, Kim, who has supported the farm for 18 years. Friends, family, and colleagues are invited to a viewing at the Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, 524 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA, between 10:00 am and noon, on Thursday, October 3, 2024, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life there. Interment will be at the Twin Valley Memorial Park in Delmont following the celebration. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the National Craniofacial Association of Hixson, Tennessee. Arrangements are being handled by Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, Greensburg, PA. For online condolences and information, please visit www.kepplegraft.com.