Sylvia Marie (Elfrink) Minks

Sylvia M. Minks, 92, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2024. She was born on May 17, 1931, to Herman and Sylvia Elfrink of Akron, Ohio. Mom studied cosmetology at Hower Vocational High School where she was crowned homecoming queen in her senior year, graduating in 1950. After high school, she met the love of her life, Paul Minks, and they were wed on March 17, 1952. They moved to Green Township in 1961, building their house on Arlington Road brick by brick. This house would set the scene for weekly family dinners for the next 50 years. 

Preceded in death by her loving husband Paul; she is survived by her daughter Sandy (Bob) Wootan; son Paul "Chip" (Francesca) Minks; grandchildren Tim Wootan, Amy (Vladimir) Katanic, and Caleb and Hannah Minks; great-grandchildren Ana, Evie, Jack, Dominic and Scarlet.

Mom was a woman of many talents. She could sew like a pro, pilot a plane, and bust a wig (but not all at the same time). If you listen carefully, you can still hear the sound of her charm bracelet jangling as she searches her purse for the ziplock baggy of assorted candies to be shared among those in her pew. Mom's circle of friends was very large...From the waitresses at Bob Evans who kept her mug of coffee full and steaming hot and added extra pecans to her pancakes,  to her many clients and coworkers at the beauty salons where she worked, to her church family that she cherished. Mom was a woman of enormous tenacity and spunk who loved God, her husband Paul, and her family. How lucky we are to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Special thanks to Rusti and the entire staff at GreenView Assisted Living for their loving care and compassion this past year, along with her caregivers from Compassionate Care Hospice who were with her in her final days. 

Calling Hours for Sylvia will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 1-3 p.m. at the Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton. A Memorial Service to follow at 3:00 p.m. Private burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family requests NO flowers. They suggest that if you wish to send flowers, please send them to someone you love, to enjoy in Sylvia's memory.

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