Aldona "Aldie" K. Vinikas

Aldona "Aldie" K. Vinikas, 65, of 19810 Arthur St., Meadville, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at Meadville Medical Center.

Aldie was born in Grove City, on May 31, 1949, a daughter of the late Matthias V. and E. Aldona (Damarodas) Vinikas.

On May 6, 1972, Aldie married Eric S. Krafft; he preceded her in death on October 26, 2000.

Aldie attended the former St. Agatha Catholic School during her elementary years before graduating from Meadville High School. She went on to further her education by earning a Special Education Degree from Penn State University where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Following her graduation, Aldie taught Braille to blind children. She enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her family. Aldie was involved with the Meadville Public Library's "Tales that Wag" Program and with the elementary schools' Poison Prevention Program. She was a member of the Master Gardeners. Her interests were many. Over the years she had made and sold Christmas ornaments through Country Crafters, raised champion Guinea Pigs, was active in The Senior Center, the 4-H Club, the Pony Club, the Cochranton Grange and she enjoyed taking Tai Chi with Cootie Harris. She had a love for her dogs, for riding horses, and for following the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aldie is survived by three daughters Moriah Krafft and her spouse Aldin Barnes of Billings, MT, Breonna Krafft and her spouse Preston Pace of Boise, ID, Sasha Cafaro and her spouse Victor of Meadville, three grandchildren Flynn Cafaro, Victor Cafaro, Jr., Rykin Barnes, four brothers Matthias Vinikas of Cambridge, MA, Vincent Vinikas of Little Rock, AR, Bruce Vinikas and his partner Lenette Shugart of Sanford, FL, Paul Vinikas and his spouse Barbara of Albuquerque, NM, Catherine Thibault of Natick, MA who was like family to her, eight nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 1-3 at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to PSCE Crawford Memorial Garden Penn State Co-Operative Extension of Crawford County, 13400 Dunham Rd., Suite A or the Meadville Public Library, 848 N. Main St., both in Meadville, PA 16335.

Share your condolences at www.miznerfuneralhome.com