Roger Louis Mathia Sr.

Roger Louis Mathia Sr, 94 years old, passed away peacefully at 8:43 p.m. on Monday April 22, 2024 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend after a brief illness.  Roger was born the only child of the late Allene D. (Knott) LaFree, on October 2, 1929 in South Bend.

Roger is a 1947 graduate of Madison High School in Wakarusa.  He was drafted by the Army and served in the K-9 unit during the Korean War.

Roger met his wife, Dorothy (Ciesielski), at a barn dance in 1955.  They were united in marriage on October 4th, 1958 in South Bend.  He and Dorothy raised 4 children together on their farm.  Roger worked for Norfolk Southern until his retirement in 1991.  He was a farmer from his childhood until just before his passing.  He was an active member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Lakeville and a lifelong resident of South Bend.

Roger enjoyed being in a tractor, baking, going to the casino, gardening, watching baseball, playing cards, reading the paper, going out to eat, watching polka dancing, and teasing his family and friends.  He will forever be remembered as the boss of the family, the best French fry maker, and the best cinnamon roll and dinner roll baker by his grandchildren.  He was seen by his family as a pillar of strength and was the true definition of a hardworking man.

Roger was preceded in death by his mother, his cherished wife of 64 years, Dorothy; his beloved daughter, Beth Ann Taylor; 2 step-brothers, George LaFree Jr. and James LaFree; and 4 step-sisters, LaVerna Hesch, Elnora Leininger, Rosemary Gilpin, and Florine Baker.

Surviving are his sons; Roger ‘Beaver’ (Janet) Mathia Jr. of South Bend and Greg (Mindy) Mathia of Wyatt; daughter Debra (Kenny) Stevens of Wakarusa, and son-in-law Doug Taylor of Elkhart.  Also surviving are eleven grandchildren: DJ 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.  6 great-grandchildren also survive; Ellayna, Charlotte, Serena, Vanessa, Lyla, and Streicher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 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, April 29, 2024 at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend where a Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m.  Friends may also visit with the family beginning at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Roger L. Mathia Sr. 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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