MATTHEW  A.  “MATT”  SMOLIK

 

Matthew A. “Matt” Smolik, age 90 years, of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday morning, September 16, 2014 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.  Matt was born on July 30, 1924 at Timken, Kansas to Frank James and Agnes (Rudolf) Smolik.  He graduated from Bison High School in 1943, and was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during WW2. Matt was united in marriage to Doris E. Camp on July 19, 1955 at La Crosse, Kansas.  Matt worked for the Bison Co-Op driving the tankwagon for a period of time, and after moving to the Great Bend area in 1967, he worked for the City of Great Bend Street Department. Later he worked for Doonan Trailer Manufacturing near Great Bend, and was a Custodian at Harrison School (USD #428) in Great Bend for many years prior to his retirement.  Matt enjoyed fishing and auto repair, and dearly loved mowing.

Survivors include his wife, Doris E. Smolik of Great Bend, Kansas; four sons:  Tom (and his wife, Tina) Smolik of Bushton, Kansas, Gary (and his wife, Doris Ann) Smolik of Montrose, Colorado, Steven (and his wife, Mary Ann) Smolik of Wichita, Kansas, and Larry Smolik (and his partner, Tony Lopez) of Great Bend, Kansas; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two brothers:  Richard (and his wife, Donna) Smolik of Timken, Kansas and Robert (and his wife, Sharon) Smolik of Great Bend, Kansas; one sister, Betty Axman of Olmitz, Kansas; nieces and nephews.  Matt was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson (Chris Smolik), and one infant granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 19, 2014 at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kansas with Father Ted Stoecklein officiating.  Cremation will follow with inurnment to take place at a later date.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday at Charter Funerals in Great Bend, Kansas, with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be directed to the family.  Online condolences may be left and a complete obituary notice may be viewed at https://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.

 

Arrangements Entrusted To

Charter Funerals

2115 Washington St.

Great Bend, KS  67530

(620) 793-6161