Donald Matters

Donald W. Matters age 95, of Erie, passed away surrounded by family, on Saturday September 17, 2016, at Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center. He was born in Erie Pa. on June 13, 1921. He was the last remaining son of the late Raymond and Jeanetta Matters. Don left high school after the 9th grade to go into the CCC camps in 1937. After serving more than a year in the CCC camps in New Mexico, he joined the U.S. Navy. He served on active duty from 1939 until 1946 during WW II and went back into active duty from 1950 until 1952 to serve during the Korean War. He married Edith Mackintosh in 1946 and fathered eight children. He returned to night school while working a full time job to graduate from Erie Technical High School. He also went on to earn a Chief Stationary Engineers license after which he was hired at Reed Manufacturing in 1959 to run the boiler room and was a machine rebuilder until retiring in 1987. Don served in the U.S. Navy reserve from 1965 to 1983. Don served as coach for 5 years in the Boys Baseball little league in Erie. He served for a period in the auxiliary police on the Civil Defense in the city of Erie. He served on the safety and education committee for the union at Reed Mfg. After retiring, he moved to Spartansburg, Pa. and attended and sang in the choir at St. Elizabeth RC Church in Corry Pa. and served as a volunteer with an income tax service for the elderly. He was also very involved in a veterans support group that met monthly in Meadville Pa.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, son Michael R. Matters, two brothers: Harold and Dale Matters, sisters: Francis Adleff, Harriett Randall, Opal Lehman, Jeannine Rickrode. Survivors include his beloved wife of 70 years, Edith L., sister Bonnie Wodarski, sons: Patrick W. (Carolyn), Paul B. (Dianne)of Erie, and John A. , of Corry, son Gerald D. (Teresa) of Manassas Va. daughters: Kathleen L. Skarzenski (Vernon), Joyanne M. Coleman (Richard) and Alice L. Rivas all of Erie. 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

A private family viewing was held at Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10th St. prior to cremation. A private family funeral will be held on Thursday September 22 at Burton Funeral Home chapel with graveside chapel service, along with full military honors, at Calvary Cemetery in Erie. No public viewing will be held. The family wishes to thank the Sarah Reed Retirement Center for the wonderful care Don received throughout the over five years he resided there. Memorial contributions can be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center, 227 West 22nd Street Erie, PA 16502 -2689.