Bolton Francis Minister, 95, died Friday October 17 at his rural home in Yerington, following a lengthy illness. He was a resident of Mason Valley for nearly 70 years.

He was born on July 11, 1919 in San Bernardino, CA to Bolton Edmund Minister and Georgiana Harriet Walters Minister. He grew up in Porterville, CA where his father owned and operated the general mercantile and his mother was the Post Mistress. In 1929 his family moved to Los Angeles where his father retired as general manager Bullocks Department Store.

Bolton graduated Magna Cum Laude from Loyola University with a bachelor's degree in business administration. At Loyola, he met the love of his life, Rose Castlen. They were married in Glendale, CA on September 5, 1940.

At the start of WWII, he was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy. He went to Supply Corp School at Harvard University. Upon graduation, he became Supply Officer for the USS Pitt, a troop transport ship that engaged the enemy on many islands in the Pacific Theater. After VJ day, his ship was one of the first to land in Japan.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Los Angeles and worked with his father at Bullock's department store. In 1946, his father purchased a ranch in Mason Valley NV which he and the family operated until selling it in 1976. Following the sale, he continued to live in Mason Valley. As a member of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact Commission he protected Nevada's water allocation. He was also a member of the South Lyon Community Hospital Board and one of the founders of the Nevada Hay Growers Association.

Bolton was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Alice Minister, his brother, Rob Roy Minister, and his sister Jean Villaescusa. He is survived by seven children: Rose Anne DeCristoforo (David) of Davis, California, Bolton C. Minister (Lola) of Brush Prairie, WA, Dennis Minister (Malanie) of Merlin, OR, Frances Pekar (Jim) of Anchorage, AK, Andrew Minister (Becky) of Kennewick, WA, Mary Rita Nuti (Ralph C.) of Smith, NV, and Timothy Minister (Melanie) of Minden, NV.

He is survived by 18 grandchildren: Edward Jucevic, David DeCristoforo, Rose Beth DeCristoforo, Melissa Bernovich, April Minister-Smith, Bolton Robert Minister, Maureen Minister, Megan Redling, John Pekar, Brian Pekar, Andrea Sielaff, Stephen Minister, Kevin Minister, Leanne Minister, Kelli Minister, Russell Nuti, Monica Simpson and Dana Reed. He had 12 great-grandchildren and another one on the way.

A rosary will be recited 7:00 pm Friday, October 24th at the Holy Family Catholic Church and Mr. Minister's Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am Saturday, October 25th at Holy Family Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will be at the family plot at Valley View Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, Nevada 89447 (775) 463-2911.

Family and friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.FRFH.net, also sympathy cards may be sent to the family directly from this site.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Holy Family Catholic Church, P.O. Box 839, Yerington, Nevada 89447.