Frank J. Matuska Sr.
Decorated U.S. Navy veteran of World War II

BLACKSBURG - Frank Joseph Matuska Sr., 89, of 254 Wendy Drive, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, at his home.

A native of Savanna, Ill., Mr. Matuska was the husband of Doris Faye Matuska and son of the late Mike and Elizabeth Jagos Matuska. He served aboard the USS Sangamon in the U.S. Navy during World War II, receiving three battle stars, a Victory medal, a Purple Heart, an Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal and a Presidential Citation. He also survived a kamikaze attack.

Following his military service, he worked for Milwaukee Railroad in Savanna for 32 years and at Wal-Mart in Gaffney for nine years. He was a life member of the VFW and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gaffney.

Mr. Matuska loved baseball and played until he was 46 years old, and was a die hard Chicago Cub fan.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Matuska is survived by three sons, Michael Stephen Matuska of Shelby, Rodney R. Wagenknecht and wife, Carla, also of Shelby, and Frank Joseph Matuska Jr. of Blacksburg; four daughters, Teena Jo Peeler and husband, Chester, of Shelby, Evelyn Ann Matuska of Blacksburg, Helen Elizabeth Powell and husband, David, of Newton, N.C., and Kelley Lynn Adams and husband, Robbie, of Grover; a brother, John Mirosh of California; 13 grandchildren, Ricky Matuska, Amy Matuska, Billie Jean Wagenknecht, Gene Wagenknecht, Thomas Wagenknecht, Destiny Wagenknecht, Randy Wagenknecht, John Wagenknecht, Joseph Wagenknecht, Storm Wagenknecht, Candice Peeler, Nate Peeler and Morgan Adams; and 10 greatgrandchildren. Mr. Matuska is also survived by two daughters in-law, Linda Wagenknecht of Arizona and Joyce Wagenknecht of Savanna.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Matuska is preceded in death by two sons, Danny Jean Wagenknecht and Randy Lee Wagenknecht, a sister, Helen Mirosh, and a brother, Joe Matuska.

The family will host a receiving of friends today from 7-9 p.m. at Gordon Mortuary in Blacksburg.

Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gaffney, conducted by Father Francisco Cruz and the Rev. Veranita Alford.

Forrest Butler, Mike Howington, Chester Peeler, Nathanael Peeler, Joseph Wagenknecht, Bob Wells, Robbie Adams and David Powell will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hospice Care of South Carolina, 1612 N. Limestone St., Gaffney, S.C. 29340.

The family is at the home.

An online guestbook is available at www.gordonmortuary. com.