Dorothy Josephine (Ciesielski) Mathia

Dorothy Josephine Mathia, 93 years old, passed away at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Southfield Village, South Bend.  Dorothy was born, the 3rd of four daughters, on March 8, 1930 in South Bend to the late Vincent and Irene (Stanger) Ciesielski.  She was a 1948 graduate of Washington High School. 

Dorothy met her husband, Roger Mathia, Sr. at a barn dance in 1955.  They were united in marriage on October 4, 1958 in South Bend.  While raising their four children, Dorothy worked at Bendix Corporation until her retirement in 1986.  She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Lakeville and a lifelong resident of South Bend.  Dorothy enjoyed cake decorating and made many birthday cakes for her eleven grandchildren.  She also enjoyed crafting, exchanging recipes with co-workers, going to the casino, watching baseball, angels, wind chimes, gardening, watching polka dancing, word search books, playing cards, puzzles, Eeyore, the color red, babysitting her grandchildren, and helping run their family farm.  Dorothy loved coffee and her sweets, especially donuts and twinkies.  She made the best sugar cookies.

Dorothy was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her entire family.  They all felt welcome to stop by and see her anytime.  At the end of every visit, she would remind them to “Come back and see me.”

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Evelyn (Frank) Lesczynski and Dolores (Ed) Pinkowski; and her beloved daughter, Beth Ann Taylor.  She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Roger; sister, Adeline (the late Robert) DeSchepper; sons, Roger “Beaver” (Janet) Mathia, Jr. of South Bend and Greg (Mindy) Mathia of Wyatt; daughter, Debra (Kenny) Stevens of Wakarusa; son-in-law, Doug Taylor of Elkhart; eleven grandchildren, D.J. Houghton, Amber Mathia, Jeremy Houghton, Ben Mathia, Cory (Jess) Taylor, Hannah (Dustan) Sebasty, Clarissa (Mike Franklin) Taylor, Stephanie (Dustin) Heckman, Josh (Becca) Taylor, Autumn Taylor and Tyler Mathia; and six great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 63568 U.S. 31 South, Lakeville.  Graveside services and burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 19, at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend where a Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m.  Friends may also visit with the family beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dorothy J. Mathia may be donated to Riley Hospital for Children, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN  46202.  Online condolences may be offered to the Mathia family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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