Matthew J. Voithofer, Jr.

Matthew J. Voithofer Jr., 82 of Smithfield, Pa., died Wednesday, April 14, 1999, in West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa.

He was born February 13, 1917, in Grays Landing, Pa., son of the late Matthew J. Voithofer Sr., and Victoria Burger Voithofer.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers.

Matthew was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the North African and Sicilian Campaigns, the engagements of Algiers, Kasserine, El Guettar, Sedjinane and Bizerte. He received the following medals: Silver Star, Bronze Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service

Ribbon Medal, World War II Service Medal; three battle Stars (European/African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal), Combat Infantryman Badge and FAME Medal.

He was employed as a coal miner for 42 years, retiring from Duquesne Light Warwick Mine.

Matthew was a member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius R.C. Church of Fairchance, UMWA Local 6310. Faith-Gray-McArdle VFW Post 4584 of Masontown, and the Fairchance Rod and Gun Club. Matthew was an avid hunter.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Hedy Elizabeth Lechner Voithofer Jr., the following children, Gloria Burchianti and her husband, Arnold of Smithfield, Pa., Matthew J. Voithofer III and his wife, Karen of Carmichaels, Pa., Jerry R. Voithofer and his wife, Jody of Smithfield, Terry R. Voithofer and his wife, Kathryn of Wexford, Pa., and David Scott Voithofer of Wheeling, W.Va., 11 grandchildren; three great-grand-children; brothers and sisters, Myrtle Lisauckis of Lake Lynn, Pa., Fred Voithofer, George Voithofer and Edward Voithofer, all of Smithfield, Casper Voithofer of Baltimore, Md., and Pat Voithofer of Dearborn, Mich.; and nieces and nephews.