Ladislaus M. Matchey

INDEPENDENCE - Ladislaus (Laddie) M. Matchey, 83, of Independence, died Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Arcadia. Laddie was born on the home farm near Whitehall, Wis. on September 22, 1926 to Thomas and Mary (Neva) Matchey. He was united in marriage to Audrey Zarling on August 19, 1950. They lived near Camp Lejeune, N.C., for 14 months while Laddie was with the Marine Corps Reserve. In December 1951 they came back to Wisconsin and rented a farm near Pleasantville. Ten years later they purchased a farm in Travers Valley. Income from the farm was insufficient to raise their family of twelve children, so Laddie became a member of the Operating Engineers and worked several years on road construction. Laddie was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Whitehall. After moving to Independence, he then transferred to SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Laddie was a member of the American Legion and served several years as Commander of the local Post. He also served as Trempealeau County Commander. He belonged to the American Legion 40/8 Honor Society, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a charter member of the AMVETS. Laddie was a proud Marine and served a tour of duty during World War II and the Korean War. Survivors include his wife Audrey of Independence; four daughters, Barbara Matchey of Independence, Mary Edwards of Vancouver, Wash., Theresa (Dan) Pierzina of Arcadia, Ruth (Jeff) Kersten of St. Louis Park, Minn.; eight sons, Paul of Alexandria, Va., Thomas (Cindy) of Hixton, Wis., Mark (Margie) of Independence, Samuel (Terri) of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Joseph (Stefanie) of Arcadia, Gregory of Mukwonago, Wis., Brian (Connie) of Mondovi, Wis., and Michael (Kelly) of Random Lake, Wis. Laddie is also survived by 33 grandchildren and 21 great¬-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Monica Liley, Verna Steen, Clara Quackenbush, Kathryn and Carolyn Matchey; brothers, Andrew, Phillip, and Dominic, and a grandson, Bobby Matchey. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with Rev. David C. Kunz officiating. Burial, with military rites, will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday and 8-10 a.m. Saturday at Edison Funeral Home, Independence. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a rosary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ladislaus M. Matchey, please visit our flower store.