Charles A. Minerick, Jr., 85, of Lebanon, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, at home surrounded by his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Claire M. (Emig), and passed just a few days shy of what would have been their 65th wedding anniversary.
Born in Lebanon on Sept. 19, 1935, Charles was the son of the late Charles and Margaret (Soltes) Minerick. He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and a lifelong and faithful member of the former SS Cyril and Methodius (now St. Benedict the Abbot Church) in Lebanon. Charles was a graduate of Lebanon Catholic High School, where he excelled in football and earned the nickname “Choo Choo Charlie.” He was a member of R Field and Stream and, undoubtedly, one of Notre Dame’s biggest fans. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by local steel foundries, including Bethlehem Steel, the former Cornwall Mines in Lebanon, and the former Grace Mines in Morgantown.
Charles was a humble man and a devoted husband and father, which is how he will forever be remembered. The Minerick family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Hospice of Central PA for the kindness shown to Charles and his family in his last days; specifically his nurse, Liz, and his aide, Sue. Their compassion and professionalism are unmatched.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children – Thomas Minerick, and his wife, Margaret, MaryJo Sidebottom, and her husband, Ray, Barbara Stager, and her husband, Jon, and Kathy Devonshire, and her husband, Tom; 11 grandchildren – Christopher, Megan, Dana, Colin, Courtney, Patrick, Melissa, Jon, Jason, Samantha, and Kelsey; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Young.
Funeral services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Charles’s name can be made to St. Benedict’s Church, 1300 Lehman St., Lebanon, PA 17046, or the Lebanon VA Hospital, 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
