Edwin Elias Matysek

Edwin Elias Matysek, age 82, of Taylor, Texas, passed away Monday, April 8, 2019, at the Will O’ Bell Nursing Home in Bartlett, Texas. He was born on January 22, 1937, to Joseph and Mary (Zrubek) Matysek and grew up with five brothers and two sisters on the family farm outside Granger, Texas. He attended Granger High School where he excelled at all sports, especially baseball and basketball. After high school graduation, Edwin immediately enlisted in the Air Force where he served a four-year term. In 1964, he married Mary Jo Valenta, and they decided to make their home and raise their three children in Taylor.

He worked at Alcoa in Rockdale, Texas in varying positions where he retired in 1997 after 30 years of service. He thoroughly enjoyed working there and made many lifelong friends. After retirement, he helped maintain the church cemetery and volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul, the church’s resale store. In his later years, Edwin enjoyed getting together with his friends over a cup of coffee to discuss all sorts of topics, especially sports, politics or the latest happenings around town.

Edwin was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylor, Texas. He spent several years volunteering as a Bingo caller for the church and local non-profit organizations. When he was not calling, he looked forward to playing Bingo, always searching for the perfect cards with his lucky numbers.

Edwin loved the simple things in life. Caring for his fruit and vegetable garden is something he truly enjoyed. His favorite place to be was anywhere he could fish. He loved fishing for crappie at Granger Lake and Lake Somerville and waited all year to head to the coast to fish for speckled trout. Edwin was a great domino player and everyone grabbed the chance to be his domino partner. Edwin loved listening to and dancing to polka music. He and Mary Jo were very proud of their Czech heritage and could even speak and read the Czech language. One of his passions was playing or watching any sporting event, especially baseball and football. The Astros, Rangers, Cowboys and Longhorns were his favorite teams. Many Sunday afternoons were spent watching football with family.

However, what he enjoyed doing most was spending time with his seven grandchildren and great-grandson. He was incredibly proud of all of them, and his face lit up whenever they spent time together. Edwin enjoyed watching them participate in sporting events. In their eyes, he gave the best high-fives in the world. They loved their papa and believed he was a superstar.

Edwin is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, of 54 years, daughter, Monica Aplin and husband Mike, son, James Matysek, daughter, Roseann Mueller and husband Scotty; grandchildren, Cory Beran and wife Katherine, Kayla Meche and husband Ryan, Jackson Mueller, Jared Mueller, Matthew Aplin, Abby Aplin, Jase Mueller; great-grandson Micah Beran and soon to be great-granddaughter McKenna Meche. He is also survived by his loving brother, Joe Fojtik, sisters and brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Will O’ Bell Nursing Home for their loving care of Edwin and making him feel like family during the many years he lived there.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor, Texas with a Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. followed by sharing of memories. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylor, Texas with Father Keith Koehl officiating. Burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Granger, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Parkinson’s Foundation.