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Obituary for Kenneth Oscar Matzinger
Born to Marshall Porter and Bessie Evelyn Matzinger in Potter County, Pennsylvania in the town of Coudersport. He was the fourth child and first born son. He had sisters, Wanda Hemphill, Annette McCann, and Phyllis Matzinger and later a little brother, David Matzinger. Ken attended Coudersport grammar and high schools. After graduation and local work, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and retired after 20 years. During his military career, he traveled into a great many European countries while stationed in Germany for 4 years as an Engineer. Then finally stationed at Travis AFB, California where he was an Engineer on the C133, the largest transport plane in service at that time. While at Travis AFB, he flew many missions into Vietnam with any type of supplies from helicopters to toilet paper. He was also involved in delivering supplies during the seizure of the Pueblo ship by North Korea. While station at Eglin AFB, Florida, he met his wife who was also in the Women’s Air Force. They had a son born in Florida, Marshall, and a daughter born in Germany, Cheri Lee. They had many happy years together (65) raising their family with lots of love and laughter. After retirement from the military, he became an appliance repair person, eventually owning his own business, Ken’s Appliance Repair Shop, for a very successful 20 years. After selling his business in 1998, Ken and his wife traveled with the Leisure Town Travel Club and enjoyed many trips with newly acquainted friends. You could always expect a joke or laughter from Ken. He was a happy person and made those around him laugh with him. Ken and Shirley are members of the Community Presbyterian Church and have been for many years. Ken is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley (Whaley) Matzinger, his son Marshall and his wife Linda, his daughter Cheri Lee and her husband Luis, 3 grandsons, Danny and wife Rachel, Adam and wife Nichole, Alex and wife Katy, two wonderful great granddaughters, Hailey Marie and Brooke Adele, and brother David and wife Mary of Coudersport, and many nieces and nephews. Ken will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Ken will be interred in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California. May he rest in peace and God Bless him and Keep him. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ken’s memory be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=10043).
