Shelby County Indiana
Obituaries
Minton
Obituaries
Minton
The Indianapolis Star
November 2004
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Madge Rutherford Minton, 84, of Indianapolis died Sunday November 7th, 2004. While earning her B.A. degree at Butler University, she was one of the first four women in the United States to graduate from the Advanced Civilian Pilot Training Program authorized by the Civil Aeronautics Authority. In 1943 she joined the newly organized Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) and was trained to ferry Army airplanes to domestic military bases for delivery to combat flight crews. After World War II Madge remained passionate about the role of women in aviation. She was a member of The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots, P-51 Mustang Pilots Association, The Confederate Air Force, and the Indianapolis Aero Club. She served as a regional vice president for the P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association. In the 1970's Madge took an active role in lobbying for and finally achieving recognition and veteran status for all former WASPs. While serving in World War II, Madge and Naval Officer, Sherman A.Minton, M.D. were married on October 10, 1944 during a five day leave. After the war, they settled in Indianapolis.November 2004
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Madge, mother of three daughters, was a teacher, an author, a lapidary, and an amateur herpetologist. She was an accomplished collector of unique primitive artifacts, fine art, and natural rarities.
The memorial service is scheduled for Saturday , November 20, 2004, 11:00 a.m. at All Souls Unitarian Church, 5805 East 56th Street in Indianapolis..
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions to: WASP Memorials, P.O. Box 456, Sweetwater, Texas 79556.
Madge is survived by her three daughters, Brooks M. de Cervantes, April M. Kiesier, and Holly S. Minton; and her grandchildren, Natasha Cervantes, M.D., and Benjamin Childers. Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
