Dolores Marie (Thimons) Minarik

Dolores Marie (Thimons) Minarik

Of Natrona Heights, PA

Dolores Marie (Thimons) Minarik,97, known to many as “Babe” was born on Wednesday, May 30, 1928 to the late Leonard and Mary Luschak Thimons, and was raised in West Tarentum PA.  She passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26th, 2026 in her home, surrounded by family.  Dolores met the love of her life, Paul Minarik, while working at PPG in Creighton, PA. They shared 72 years of devoted marriage and raised their three children on cherished family land in a tight-knit Slovak neighborhood in the Birdville area of Natrona Heights.  Dolores had a lifelong passion for antique collecting. Many of her happiest memories were made traveling with Paul and friends, in their van, to antique shows. A tough bargainer with a sharp eye, Dolores loved to wheel and deal and earned the respect of fellow collectors, mentoring many along the way. Even into her later years, she could still tell you what an antique piece might be worth and could spot a rare item a mile away.  Known for her fiery spirit and strength, she was not one to be underestimated. Throughout her life, she truly embodied grit – that grounded salt of the earth kind that made her a force to be reckoned with and a figure to be admired.  In her later years, following the passing of her beloved husband, Dolores found comfort at home in the company of her family and devoted caregivers, spending quiet hours watching birds outside her window and waving hello to neighbors as they walked by. Dolores is survived by her children: Dennis Minarik of Butler, PA, Linda Garfield (Charles) of Kingman, AZ, and Cynthia Walters (Daniel) of Natrona Heights, PA, and sister Lucinda Chupka (Joseph) of Butler, PA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jonathan Walters (Soojin Park) of Cheswick, PA, and Janey Mazur (Zachary) of Freeport, PA, her great grandchildren, Jace and Thomas Mazur, and her beloved fur friend Bela. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul E. Minarik, parents and her beloved brother Francis (Tank) Thimons.

Family and friends are invited from 2-4 and 6-8 on Friday, January30, 2026 at the ROBERT PETERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1521 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065 (724-224-7730), where parting prayers will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 9:30 AM at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church Campus, 800 Montana Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065 with the Reverend Andrew Fisher, officiating.  A private burial will follow at Mount Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights on Monday.  For online condolences and more information please visit www.petersfamilyfuneralhomes.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Citizens Hose,  965 Burtner Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dolores Marie (Thimons) Minarik, please visit our floral store.