John Paul Matia, Jr.
Pam Jones
So sorry Linda for you and your family. Keeping you in my prayers
Lori (Hoover) Fyock
I never had many good memories from my school years, but you gave me good memories of 6th grade that I will forever treasure. You and Mr. Snyder were the only teachers who treated me like I mattered and made learning fun. Thank you for the memories and rest easy Mr. Matia.
Cindy Britton
Linda and family, I am so sadden by John’s passing. He was always so much fun to be around and was an important part of our OME family.. I have no doubt that he and Ken already have nicknames for their fellow angels.
Cheryl Buttorff Hoover
Dearest friend Linda, I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Such a kind soul, I always enjoyed his sense of humor and cherished his friendship. He will be missed by many, including me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
– Cheryl
Dan Muckey
Working at the library I heard a lot about teachers.
And I can tell you every kid loved “Mr Matia”
Walter Tormey; SR
ETERNIAL REST..
Jim & Colleen (McKay) Rumberger
Linda my heart goes out to you and entire family. Not only did I get to know John as my sixth grade teacher and being part of his first teaching class but I got to know him as a valued and honored friend and one of the greatest singing partners I’ve ever had. He will live in my heart until I am called home. I’m glad I got to spend the time with him that I did in the past decade. He will always be missed and remembered. Memory eternal!
Anna and John Butler family
Sorry to hear of John passing. So many good memories of days past. Thank you for time shared. Peace.
Karen Lamb Webb, POAHS 1969 Alumni
So sad to learn of John’s passing. May the love of family and friends help comfort Linda and their family during this difficult time. Rest in Peace John.
Penny Schnarrs
I first met John when I student taught in high school. I walked into his class room and the first thing he said to me was “you MUST be a Raymond” and then never further explained and smiled – very proud of himself. I didn’t figure out he had grown up with my uncles until I went home that night.
As an adult, I had the pleasure of working with John on the Relay committee for years. He was always there- by Linda’s side, with a smile and ready to do whatever was needed.
It was a privilege and honor to know John and I have no doubt anyone who knew him would say the same.
Linda – to you and your family – I’m sending you all my love and my deepest sympathy.
I’m so grateful for the last message exchange I was able to have with John a few months ago and you all continue to be in my heart.
P O Class of 1970
John and Linda were there every monthly luncheon to plan our reunion. John was one of Us! We will miss him.
Our heartfelt sympathy to Linda and the family. May perpetual light shine upon John.
Brandon McCliment
John Matia was a once in a lifetime person to meet. I was proud to work with him in one of his last years as a teacher and even prouder to call him a friend years after. You would have a tough time meeting a better human being than John Matia. He was generous, funny, and kind……talking to him and Ken every morning made my day at OME. His legacy will live on with his tremendous family. And if you were in his classroom, he remembered you……he remembered everything. He was a remarkable person.
Brandon McCliment
John Matia was a once in a lifetime person to meet. I was proud to work with him in one of his last years as a teacher and even prouder to call him a friend years after. You would have a tough time meeting a better human being than John Matia. He was generous, funny, and kind……talking to him and Ken every morning made my day at OME. His legacy will live on with his tremendous family. And if you were in his classroom, he remembered you……he remembered everything. He was a remarkable person.
Lara Sharpless
Although he had retired by the time I got to 6th grade, I always knew him as a kind and fun teacher. Later I would have the pleasure of waiting on him at the Osceola Hotel, where he frequently asked if my name was Amanda. He was always so funny and courteous and never failed to make me laugh. Linda and family— I am so very sorry for your loss. I am thinking of all of you, and will greatly miss Amanda and his shenanigans.
Robert D. Smith
Please accept my condolences. Sorry to hear my coworker from Osceola Mills Elementary has passed away. We had many memorable times teaching 6th grade together. He will be greatly missed by family and friends..
Debra Miller
Linda and family – My heartfelt prayers and condolences on your loss.
May you find peace and comfort in precious memories.
Greg Sypa
John held many titles to me throughout my life; my 6th grade teacher, my mentor as an education major, my co-worker during his last year teaching, but most of all my friend. He is the reason I wanted to teach 6th grade because as a 12 year old I recognized that this man truly loved his job and laughed and had fun all day long, how could you not want the same? I will miss my first day of school emails from my friend, I will miss him asking me over and over when my church was having our chicken BBQ, I will miss the inside jokes we shared from when I was 12 to the present (I DON’T CARE!), I will miss him checking the length of my tie and laughing, and I will miss him correcting my grammar as I’m sure he is reading this run on sentence shaking his head right now. Linda and family, accept my deepest condolences. May his memory be eternal!
Brenda Huber
Life isn’t fair sometimes and this is one of those times. You were very loved, admired and respected by your family, friends and the hundred of students you had over the years. I will miss you at church functions and braving the cold wind outside OME waiting for our respective grandkids to come out. You always pointed out when one of the parents would come for their child, that you had them in school and you would say, “I had them in school and now they have kids in OME.” You had such a positive impact on people and you will be so missed.
Ronna and Jack Vesnesky
We are so very sorry for your loss. I knew John as a fellow teacher and always enjoyed talking to him. In recent years we spent a lot of time watching our grandsons play basketball at the Y. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Diane & Aaron Henninger
We are sorry for your loss. John was so nice to talk with and had encouraging words of wisdom to offer. He will be missed by many. Prayers are given.
Neil Corman
I was the custodian when John taught and worked with him for years. We had a lot of great conversations and he always kept a tidy classroom, which made my job easier. He was a good friend and person. So sorry to hear of his passing. He will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to all of you. Thanks for the memories, John.
Ted & Leslie Beres
Linda and family, so sorry to hear of John’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Betsy Lucas Kelly
John was our neighbor across the street in Chester Hill. Such a nice family to have as a neighbor. Mr. Matia always had a great garden that he took pride in and sounds like John takes after his dad. We had a chance to get reacquainted at our mom’s viewing a few years ago. A well lived life and May you Rest In Peace. Our condolences to your family and close friends.
Eileen Eckberg
Thinking of you. I have fond memories of talking to John at the post office
Chip Williams
Tina (Wills) Gaskill
Dear Linda and Family,
May the Lord carry you all through this difficult time. John was an amazing man who will never be forgotten, and his memory will live in all of our lives.
Much love – Tina (Wills)Gaskill, Jessica, Timmy and Dustin Wills families <3
Tom Ford
I was so saddened to hear the news of John’s passing. My deepest condolences to Linda and the entire family.
Michael Sobol
Psalm 116.15 says, “Precious in the sight of our Lord is the death of His saints.” John was precious to our Heavenly Father and our Lord looked forward to seeing John face to face in Heaven!
John always was an encouraging man whose positive uplifting manner was a blessing to many. I know my mother really appreciated John as he would call to check on her during trying times of life. I’m sure John and mom along with others who loved John have already enjoyed a blessed dialog together!
Linda, please know that you and your family are in my continuing thoughts and prayers!
In Christ’s love and grace,
Mike
Kate Carson
Linda & families,
So sorry for your loss. Your all in my thoughts & prayers.
Linda Danko
My heartfelt sympathy to the family for your loss. What a great pleasure to have known and worked with John. He could brighten even the darkest day. Comfort and peace to you John.
Jamie L Callahan
Thanks for the memories, Mr. Matia.
Jessica burnsworth
Wonderful teacher wonderful person condolences to the family you will be missed Mr. Matia
Erica (Yaple) Snyder
I spent many days with Steph and the Matia family, especially in my middle school years. I will always remember how much John made me laugh, and how I always felt like one of their family. You will be greatly missed here on earth, but we all know you are eternally living with the greatest Father there is. I love you all, Matia family. Hugs♥️
Mary Kathryn Sank Legaspi
So sorry for your loss. Know that he will live on through all the love and many things he was able to teach and share with his grandchildren. May he rest in Peace.
Rebecca Ruman Pruss
I’m so very sorry to learn of John’s passing. We’re living in York, PA, now to be near our daughters. My health is not good, heart and eye problems. Joe and our daughter Melinda are in Scotland now, as are my brother Ron and his wife. I will be unable to attend the celebration of his life, but he and you all will be in my thoughts on that day.
With love and sympathy,
Becky
Pat and Cherie Hrenko
Linda and family,
You are all in our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers ❤️ John was one of a kind, the BEST kind, and we cherish the time we got to spend with him! He will now share eternal life with his Heavenly Father, and may that give you comfort and peace ❤️
Penny Hynd
John, Shelley, Katie & Kyle Reese
Matia Family — we are so saddened to hear about John’s passing. He was a marvelous guy, and a fantastic teacher! Katie always adored “Mr. Matia” and we are heartbroken to see him leave us so soon. Linda, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!
John M Smith and wife
MaryMargaret Bower
John, you will be greatly missed
Bill Zavalydriga
Linda & family you are in my prayers
Paul Anderson
Our prayers are with you. The best neighbor I could have ever hoped for. Now safe in the arms of Jesus.
Richard and Joan Myers
God bless you and your family!
Ashley (Thompson) Lindstrom, class of 2003
Mr. Matia was one of my favorite teachers, and that’s saying something because I had 7 absolutely WONDERFUL teachers during my time at OME. He was kind and thoughtful and made sure every kid in his class always knew that he genuinely cared for each and every one of us. He was an extraordinary human being and I’ll never understand why his ending was not as beautiful as his life, but there a reason I’m sure. Praise the Lord that his suffering has ended and he celebrating and being celebrated with and by his eternal family. Prayers and love to his family, both by blood and by heart. He will certainly be missed by MANY.
*We’ll never forget “the year of the Ashleys”
Jan and Ron Ruman
Linda, and Jennifer, Jeff, and Stephanie,
We are heartbroken for your loss. John was such a wonderful person and the tribute a former student shared on Facebook was truly a testament to his love of family, his love for teaching, his adoration-care-and concern for his students, and his joy for life. He leaves many memories for each of you to cherish. We send you warm thoughts and prayers to guide you these next days.
And, most especially to:
Henry, Connor, Evan, Wynston, Broderick, Violet, and Audrey.
You, each of you, got the best of your Pap-pap! Grandchildren are the light in the eyes of their Pap-paps. You gave him reason to live his best life. He adored and gazed at each of you in wonder. He told us of the special talents that each of you had that made him so proud to be your Pap-pap! You were his morning sun and his evening twilight. And, most of all… you gave him laughter and you gave him joy. As you go on, take all those talents he shared with you, grow them, use them, and you will surely have great success!
Thinking of all of you,
Jan and Ron
Linda Archer
So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr Matia. Linda, thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Tony & Michele Miller
Dear Jeff, Daleen and family,
Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
May God strengthen all of you and may you be filled
with his peace that passes all understanding.
Will keep you in our prayers.
Tony & Michele Miller
Dear Jeff, Daleen and family,
Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
May God strengthen all of you and may you be filled
with his peace that passes all understanding.
Will keep you in our prayers.
Mary Beth Eyet
Dear Linda and family,
I was always happy to share a math class in John’s room. I never left without a smile, and the same can be said for his students. He was one of those good, good men, and will be missed by many. You and your family are in my prayers.
Mary Stodart
Linda….so sorry for your loss! I’ve thought of you often these past weeks. Words escape me….but I wanted to tell you how sorry I am.