John W. Minness, custodian of the Good Hope Hall for the past eighteen years and long a prominent figure in the order, died Tuesday, following an illness of one week from pneumonia.

 

Though he had been getting feeble for some months, Mr. Minness stuck to his duties until his last illness. He was widely known, not only among the many members of the order, but among the large number who frequent the hall. To young and old he was known as "Pap" Minness.

 

The deceased was born in Richmond Va., 76 years ago. He was a member of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church. He was also actively connected with the Order of Moses, the Fishermen of Galilee and the Chaldeans. He was a member of the board of directors of the Good Hope Joint Stock Association.

 

A widow, Mrs. Maggie Minness, six children and six grandchildren are among the surviving relatives.

 

His funeral was held at Ebenezer Church on Friday evening of this week, a large concourse of people attending. The services were conducted by Rev. Charles E. Stewart, pastor of the church. The various orders of which the deceased was connected conducted the last rites.The floral offerings were numerous and handsome. Interment was in Mt. Auburn Cemetery.