(Radio Iowa) – A former southwest Iowa sheriff and his wife of 67 years died within minutes of each other last week after contracting Covid. A double memorial graveside service is set for Friday morning at 11 at the Benton Cemetery for 86-year-old Lyle Minnick and his wife, 84-year-old Judy Minnick. The couple died last Tuesday (Nov. 24th) at Mercy One Hospital in Des Moines due to complications from COVID-19.

Julia “Judy” Louise Minnick

Lyle Minnick (Photos via the Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home.

An obituary states Judy preceded Lyle in death by four minutes. Lyle Minnick served as Ringgold County Sheriff from 1985 until his retirement in 1999. He served 10 years as a sheriff’s deputy prior to his election as sheriff. He was finishing a four-year term on the Ringgold County Board of Supervisors upon his death last week. Lyle also served two years in the U.S. Navy from 1953-to-’55, and worked as a farmer and truck driver.

Lyle and Judy Minnick were married in January, 1953. The couple had four children and five grandchildren.