Andrew M. Matelski, 71, US Army Veteran, enjoyed flea markets

Born April 23, 1933 in Berea, Andrew was raised in Townsend, Ohio and graduated high school there. He then lived in Norwalk, Lodi, Amherst, and has lived in Lorain since 1972.

He held the rank of Sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War, surviving with the 108th Tank Battalion. He received the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, 1 oversea Bar, and the National Defense Service Medal.

He worked for Gel Pak, Lorain as a truck driver for 10 years, retiring in the early 1980's. Prior to this, he worked for Bob O'Donald Distributors in Amherst as a driver, and BF Goodrich from 1957 to 1964.

He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Lorain, Alcoholics Anonymous in Lorain and Cleveland. While living in Lodi, he coached little league baseball and served as the league president. Since his residence in Lorain, Andrew had officiated high school basketball games in Lorain and surrounding areas. He enjoyed gardening and going to Jamie's Flea Market in Amherst twice a week.

Surviving is his wife of 47 years, Marjorie A. (nee Minor), sons, Michael Anthony, of Shaker Heights, Matthew Andrew, of Lorain, daughters, Diana Marie Sherwin, of Sheffield Lake, Donna Jean Rogers, of Lorain, Mary Frances Matelski, of Lorain, and Christine Marie Edreff, of Lorain, 9 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren, a sister, Marcella Strong, of Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew A. and Mary (nee Eckert) Matelski, a brother, Anthony, in 1991, a sister, Margaret Korensek, and a granddaughter, Tara, in April, 2004.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain. The family will also receive friends on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, E. 28th St., and Elyria Ave., Lorain. Rev. Fr. Kevin Shemuga, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon. The Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of Lorain will conduct full military honors.

Contributions can be made if desired to the American Heart Association, 1689 E. 115 St., Cleveland, Ohio 44106, or the American Lung Association of Ohio' South Shore, 226 State Route 61 East, Norwalk, Ohio, 44857.