10/21/2024

Frank E. Matinchek

Date of Death: March 31, 2024

Frank E. Matinchek, 90, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 31, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.


A lifelong resident of Middletown, Frank was born July 06, 1933. He was the son of the late Frank and Pearl Matinchek.



Frank was a 1952 graduate of Middletown Area High School, served in the US Army during the Korean War, attended Elizabethtown College on the GI Bill, and graduated from the former Eckels School of Mortuary Science. In 1961, Frank and his wife, Peggy, opened Matinchek Funeral Home at 260 E. Main Street in Middletown.

Frank was very involved in civic and church activities his entire life. As a lifelong member of Seven Sorrows BVM Church, he volunteered in numerous ways. He was a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, participated on the church council, helped with church dinners, organized the original Lenten Fish Fries, and he made hundreds of loaves of bread for church bake sales. He was active in the Rotary Club, The United (Way) Fund, The Area March of Dimes, The Odd Fellows, The Knights of Columbus, The Masons and The Boy Scouts. Frank helped initiate the original American Flag Program in Middletown, where flags were placed along the side of the roads for military holidays.

Frank loved to hunt and fish and delighted in passing on his love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. He was a gentleman farmer who planted acres of corn, pumpkins and other vegetables that were used at his son, Keith’s restaurant, the Brownstone Café. He loved to cook and was an amazing baker as well. Family favorites were nut rolls, sweet breads, and every type of pie imaginable. His pumpkin pie (using fresh pumpkin, of course) is still served seasonally at the Brownstone.

Frank was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Margaret (Peggy) Matinchek.

He is survived by his children, Paula Jo Matinchek of Middletown, Keith E. Matinchek (partner, Selina Moist) of Middletown, Corinne Stefanic (Michael) of Boiling Springs, and Henry Matinchek (Susan) of Batesville, AR, and his brother in-law, Stephen Little (Judi) of Middletown; grandchildren, Jonathan Graham, and Joel Graham, of Middletown, Zachary Matinchek (Kelly) of Middletown, Michael John Stefanic (Jillian) of Mt. Holly Springs, Matthew Stefanic of Lancaster, James Matinchek of Fayetteville AR, Callie Matinchek of Little Rock AR, and grandson in-law, Mark Carnes of Middletown; and five great-grandchildren; Gabrial Graham, Carter Matinchek, Camdyn Matinchek, Mila Carnes, and Madeline Stefanic; sisters, Agnes Fuoti (George) of Hummelstown, Ruthann Ireley (Jerry) of West Palm, FL and brother, James Matinchek of Middletown.

In addition to his wife, Frank was preceded in death by his daughter in-law, Carole Matinchek, beloved granddaughter, Alexis (Matinchek) Carnes; sister, Dawn Strauss; and brothers, Stanley Matinchek and Ronald Matinchek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 12:00 Noon at Seven Sorrows BVM Catholic Church, 280 N. Race Street, Middletown, PA, with the Rev. Fr. Timothy Sahd as celebrant and the Rev. Fr. Ted Keating concelebrating. Viewing will be from 4:00- 7:00 PM Sunday, April 7th, 2024 at the Matinchek Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Middletown and from 10:00AM until the time of Mass on Monday, at Seven Sorrows.

The Matinchek family is grateful to the wonderful Washington 2 staff at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown for the care, compassion, and love they provided to not only our father, but to our mother and our family as well.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his honor to, Seven Sorrows BVM Catholic Church 280 N. Race Street, Middletown, PA 17057

Matinchek Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 260 E. Main Street, Middletown, PA has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.matinchekfuneralhome.com