John Duane Mattie, 91

TOLLHOUSE, Calif. - John Duane Mattie, of Tollhouse, died peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, in his sister's home in Dagsboro, Del. He was 91.

A loving husband, incredible father and respected citizen, John was born July 23, 1915, in Beaverdale, Pa., and spent 28 years in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was a highly decorated P-51 fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and two oak leaf clusters. He was also a prisoner of war in Germany for 15 months.

After his military career, he served his community as a teacher in Wilmington, Del., until 1979.

His retirement began when he and his wife Edna moved to California, where they lived an active life on a ranch in the Sierra foothills.

He was a devout and founding member of the Infant Jesus of Prague Roman Catholic Church.

John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Edna (Wojcik) Mattie; three daughters, Janet Dowis of Clovis, Jeanne Patrican of Franklin Lakes, N.J., Kathleen Schneider of Durham, N.C., and Barbara Mertz of Fresno; two sons, Michael Mattie of Chalfont, Pa., and Chris Mattie of Mount Laurel, N.J.; three sisters, Mary Caroff of Dagsboro, Del., Alice Nauman of Milton, Del., and Martha Benson of Wilmington, Del.; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be in St. Ann's Catholic Church, Bethany Beach, Del., at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of John Mattie to the Infant Jesus of Prague Catholic Church, P.O. Box 357, Prather, CA 93651.