Walter John Rev. Matus

Rev. Walter Matus, age 70, of Cyclone, passed away late Wednesday evening, July 2, 2014 at Scott & White Hospital in Temple. Fr. Walter will lie in state from 2 to 4 pm Sunday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cyclone and a rosary will be recited at 3 pm. He will then lie in state at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Marak from 4:30 to 6:30 pm Sunday and a rosary will be recited at 5 pm. A rosary will also be recited 6:30 pm Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West followed by a visitation till 8:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 am Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with The Most Reverend Bishop Joe S. Vasquez as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery near West. The 4th Degree Knights will provide honor guard for the services. Fr. Walter was born February 10, 1944 in Penelope, the son of Frank Henry and Albina H. (Holacka) Matus. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School in West and graduated from West High School in 1962. Fr. Walter then went to St. Mary's Seminary and University of St. Thomas School of Theology. He was ordained a priest May 30,1970 in West where he served his first Mass. Over the 44 years of his priesthood, Fr. Walter served parishes in Austin, Bryan College Station, Lampasas, Granger, Temple, and in the Killeen areas. He was currently the pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cyclone and Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Marak. He was a member of K.J.T. #31 of West and the Knights of Columbus Council #10186 in Cyclone/Marak where he was a former Chaplain and 3rd Degree Knight and also Knights of Columbus Assembly #1138 in Temple where he was a Friar and 4th Degree Knight. Fr. Walter was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan, loved Czech music, Taroky, golf, and occasionally went on fishing and casino trips. Fr. Walter is preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, V. J. Svrcek; a step-brother, Edward Svrcek; and a step-nephew, Mark Svrcek. Survivors include a brother, Marvin Matus and wife Helen of Wills Point; three step-brothers, Willie Svrcek and wife Eileen of Waco, Johnny Svrcek of Dallas, and Herman Svrcek and wife Sue of Athens; a step-sister, Lillian Mach and husband Joe of Bellmead; a step-sister-in-law, Millie Svrcek of Dallas; three nephews, Richard Matus, Mike Matus and wife Carrie and Greg Matus and wife Jude; a niece, Nancy Thompson and husband Brian, two great nieces, Nicole and Kelsey; and many step nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers Richard Matus, Mike Matus, Greg Matus, Brian Thompson, Brian Sykora and Kenneth Sykora. Honorary pallbearers will be all Priests from the Diocese of Austin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cyclone, Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Marak or charity of your choice.