Mario Michael Minatel

Mario Michael Minatel, age 98, of Beech Grove, Indiana passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Mario was born December 31, 1923, in Indianapolis, IN to the late Anthony and Irma (Cecchini) Minatel in the house he grew up in. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Roy Minatel. He was a devout Catholic and member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Beech Grove.

Mario graduated from Butler University as a pharmacist. Midway through his college education, he was drafted in the Army and trained as a medic with the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg. He landed on Utah Beach on D+3 and marched to the Eastern Front in Czechoslovakia to meet up with the Russian Army at the Elbe River. He also participated in the Liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Bulge along the way. Upon his return, he finished his degree and operated an old-fashioned neighborhood Drug Store on the west side of Indianapolis with his brother Roy. You could pick up your medicine and get a fountain soda and warm peanuts all in one stop. During his career, Mario served a term as President of The Indianapolis Association of Retail Pharmacists. He was an avid golfer and member of Maple Creek Country Club where in his later years shot lower than his age several times. When he was 89, Mario participated in Indy Honor Flights #3 which flew him and 150 other WW2 veterans out to Washington DC to visit their memorial.

He will be remembered as a genuine, humble, funny, and entertaining person with a firm handshake who always seemed to be more interested in having a conversation about you and your life instead of his. Late in his life, he battled blindness, but with the help of the Veterans Administration, he was able to maintain his independence and continue living on his own. It didn't slow him down one bit. Later in life, when golf was no longer an option, his sister and brothers would visit every Thursday and have a classic Italian lunch of bread, salami, cheese and wine. He even continued to attend mass regularly until the Covid pandemic.

Mario is survived by his sister, Rose M. Eagan (Robert, Deceased); brother, Joseph P. Minatel (Barbara); niece, Cathy Kremer; nephews, Michael Eagan, Tony Minatel, Victor Minatel, Patrick Minatel, and Mark Minatel; as well as many great nieces, nephews, extended family members and ‘Mario’s Angels’: Jacque, Maggie, Charlene and Linda who provided loving care for him in his final days. Mario always said, “I have the ‘A’ Team caring for me.”

Visitation for Mario will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2022, from 9:00-10:30 AM at Holy Name Catholic Church, 89 N 17th Ave, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107, followed by a Mass at 10:30 AM. Mario will be laid to rest in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mario's memory may be made to Holy Name Catholic Church, 89 N 17th Ave, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.littleandsonsbeechgrove.com for the Minatel family.