Frank P. Matje, Jr.

Frank P. Matje, Jr., age 81, 2749-D State Route 487, Orangeville, died at his home at 5 a. m. Friday, June 9, 2017 after having been in failing health since March 2016.

Born in Philadelphia on June 18, 1935, he was a son of the late Frank P. , Sr., and Anna (Ess) Matje.
He was a resident of Columbia County since 1980 and previously lived in Horsham.

Frank was a 1953 graduate of Central Bucks High School Doylestown and later attended the Dobbins Vocational Technical School where he studied plumbing. He also attended the Mastbaum Night School to learn welding.

He was employed as a journeyman plumber  for 60 years, working through Local 690, Philadelphia.

Frank was a life member of the Fishingcreek Watershed Authority and also of the Bloomsburg Elks Lodge 436; He was also a member of the Orangeville Sportsmans Club; the Fishingcreek Sportsmans Club; a 50 year member of the Dutchman‘s Retreat Hunting Club; and a 26 year member of the Benton Rodeo Association..

When he resided in Horsham, he was active in various sports activities of his children. He was a woodcarver specially in birds and animals.

Frank was an avid hunter, he loved hunting deer, bear, turkey, fox, coyote and grouse.

Frank was a bluegrass music fan and also of NASCAR automobile racing, attending races at various tracks through the years.

Surviving are his wife, Sally Matje, with whom he observed their 35th wedding anniversary on April 4, 2017; two sons: Martin Matje, and his wife Kimberly, Chalfonte and Michael Matje, and his wife Cynthia, Horsham; two daughters: Kathryn Delvingaro, Hatboro and Barbara Matje, Willow Grove; two step daughters: Carol Hughes and Julie McCarty, both of Bloomsburg; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and two brothers: Robert Matje, and his wife Margaret, Malvern and William Matje, and his wife Dorothy, Nanty Glo.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11:30 a. m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service , 325 Market St., Bloomsburg, with the Rev. Jennifer Parks-Snyder, pastor of the Lightstreet United Methodist Church officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:30 a. m.

Memorials may be sent to the Geisinger Columbia Montour Home Hospice, 410 Glenn Ave., Bloomsburg, PA 17815.