Norman Leon Minner known fondly as "Leon", age 76, of Wilmington, DE, formerly of Harrington, DE, passed peacefully on November 2, 2012.

Leon was born in Felton, DE on August 29, 1936. He was son of the late Norman Green Minner and Helen Martin Minner. He was a proud graduate of Harrington High School. He would go on to serve his country honorably in the US Army in Germany at the time of the Berlin Wall crisis and in the US Army Reserves. He worked for Christiana Care Health Systems for 44 years.

He enjoyed his vegetable garden, listening to country music, watching old westerns, and going to casinos. He was a loyal fan of the Baltimore Orioles and the former Baltimore Colts. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his wife Rita. Leon was an active member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and had served in many capacities.

Leon was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Sakalia Paniata. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Rita Mary Catherine Rhodes; his sister, Mae (Minner) Maloney; his daughters, Nora Burke Peniata, Lauretta (Laurie) Morgan (William T III), Michele Strum, Catherine Doyle (Christopher), Jill Foster (David); his sons, Patrick Rhodes (Carol), Duncan Douglas (Katie), Leonard Minner (Lynette); 18 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and many more nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 901 New Road, Elsmere, on Thurs., Nov 8, 2012 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday evening November 7, from 6:00-8:00 pm.

In the lieu of flowers the family supports that memorial contributions in Leon's name are made to Corpus Christi Church Parish Office; 905 New Road, Wilmington, DE 19805.

Krienen-Griffith
Funeral Home
302.994.9614
www.defuneral@verion.net