Emil Mataya, age 86, died peacefully on June 3, 2018 at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI. He was preceded in death by his wife Rachel and is survived by his five children: Kevin Mataya (Kim), Barry Mataya, Carolyn Couch (Larry), Jennifer Mataya, and Mark Mataya. He is also survived by four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren: Shannon Mataya, Sarah Mataya, Kari Sherman (Andy), Eric Howald, Alexis Malison, Angela, Nathan, and MaKayla Ripple, Blake, Trent, and Brynn Sherman.
Emil, the son of Croatian immigrants, Fred and Caroline Mataya, was born on September 10, 1931 in Ashland, WI. He was raised in Mellen, WI and joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating in 1949. He served during the Korean War and met his wife of 59 years while stationed in England. They moved to Milwaukee where Emil attended Milwaukee School of Engineering. He worked as a machinist for Louis Allis Company for over 30 years retiring in 1991. He was a life long Catholic. During his younger years, he volunteered at Schoenstatt Catholic Center in Pewaukee, WI. Emil enjoyed building projects and spending time with his family. He will be remembered as a dedicated hard-working family man.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at AngelsGrace Hospice for their compassionate care.
Those who desire may make memorial donations in memory of Emil to the Special Olympics (specialolympics.org),
St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org) or The Smile Train (smiletrain.org)
Private family services will be held. Inurnment will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Waukesha, WI.