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MATIKA FRANCIS W., Ed.D Age 88, of Beaver, passed away Wednesday morning, August 6, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley, Beaver. Born November 17, 1925, in Mt. Pleasant, PA, he was a son of the late Andrew and Catherine Matika and attended Ss. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church, Beaver. A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force, having served during WW II, he had received a B.S. in Education from Geneva College, a M.Ed. Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Ed.D from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He also completed post graduate work at Harvard University and Allegheny College. Dr. Matika had completed over 41 years of service in public education as an educator and administrator, including having worked for school districts such as Hopewell, Jeannette, Turtle Creek, and Brentwood. He ended his career and retired as the Executive Director of the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit. Dr. Matika had been active in numerous educational and civic organizations. He was a proud and active member of the Rotary Club of Beaver Falls, during which time he had served as President and District Governor. A few of the other organizations he was active are the Penn State-Beaver Campus Advisory Board, Beaver County American Red Cross, Geneva College Alumni Association, the University of Pittsburgh Tri-State Area School Study Council, and the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Unit Executive Directors. In 1992, Geneva College awarded him a Distinguished Service Alumni Award for his outstanding education accomplishments. He was preceded by his loving wife of 45 years, Irene Pidanich Matika in 1994; a son, Gregory Francis Matika in 1979; four brothers, Stephen, Joseph, Andrew, and Michael Matika, and two sisters, Dorothy Montini and Marie Oshop. Surviving are two daughters, Dr. Roberta M. (John) Good, Beaver, Dr. Marcia A. Matika, Redondo Beach, CA; a sister, Irene Panek, Baden; four grandsons, Francis (Jenise) Burgess II, Jason (Jennifer) Burgess, Scott and Brett Darragh; three great-grandchildren, Collyn, Shay, and Adley Burgess; his second wife, Dolores Berdell Matika; a stepdaughter, Marilyn Foster, Allison Park; and three step-grandsons, Scott and Bryce Foster, Shane (Meredith) Foster; and a step-grandson, Lachlan Foster. Friends will be received Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the NOLL FUNERAL HOME, INC., 333 Third St., Beaver. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Ss. Peter & Paul Church by his pastor, Father Robert Miller. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Beaver Falls. Online condolences may be shared at: www.nollfuneral.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
