Thomas E. Matya

Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery, Corning, with Military Honors by OURCQ Post #117 American Legion. Memorials may be directed to Alegent Home Health and St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Thomas Eugene Matya, Jr., the son of Thomas and Katherine (Browers) Matya, was born on September 8, 1929 in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. Thomas entered eternal rest on July 1, 2008, at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning, Iowa, at the age of seventy-eight years, nine months, and twenty-three days.
He graduated from North High School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1947, and served his country during the Korean War while in the United States Army.
On November 7, 1953, Tom was united in marriage to Bernadine LaVonne OConnell at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Corning, Iowa. Their union was blessed with six children: Timothy Eugene, Kathleen Marie, Nancy Elizabeth, Maureen Ann, Mary Michelle, and Thomas Joseph. They moved their family to Bushville in 1963.
Tom married Ferne Sprague on June 25, 1977. Tom was a member of St. Patricks Catholic Church and served on various committees in the church. He especially enjoyed playing cards and sharing jokes with all his family and friends.
Survivors include his children: Tim Matya (Rebecca Mino) of Aurora Colorado; Kathleen (Johnny) Ecklin of Lenox; Iowa; Nancy (Jim) Voge of Portsmouth, Iowa; Maureen (Richard) Weaver of Creston, Iowa; and Michelle (Kevin) Behlers of Corning; Sixteen Grandchildren; Eleven Great-Grandchildren; Sisters: Angeline (Floyd) Henderson, Grants Pass, Oregon; Dolores Miller, Blair, Nebraska; Mary Ann (Em) Rindone, Omaha, Nebraska; Shirley Mentzer, St. Louis, Missouri; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernadine; infant son, Thomas; Sisters: Monica Stemmermann and Rosella Seamann; and his Brothers: Edward, Leo and Raymond.