Willie Mae Matus

Willie Mae Matus, age 88, of West, passed away late Wednesday night, March 11, 2009 at Providence Health Center in Waco. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Matus was born January 14, 1921 in West, the daughter of William W. and Amelia (Hromadka) Prasifka. She attended schools in West and graduated from West High School in 1939. On February 21, 1944 she was united in marriage to Willie A. Matus in Columbia, SC. They made their home in West where she worked for Lorch Manufacturing, Prasifka's Cash Grocery, and Lichnovsky's Grocery. Willie Mae was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. She was also a member of St. Anne's Altar Society. Willie Mae enjoyed watching soap operas, cooking, working jumbo puzzles and word searches. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. Her parents and two brothers, Method Prasifka and Robert Prasifka preceded her in death. Survivors include her beloved husband of 65 years, Willie A. Matus of West; a son, Richard Matus and wife Theresa of West; a daughter, Barbara Henry and husband Butch of Waco; a sister, Georgia Riggs and husband Jack of Kenova, WV; sisters-in-law, Martha Prasifka of West, Lucille Kevton and husband George of Lubbock, and Ida Drozd of West; seven grandchildren, Brian Matus and wife Jennifer, Jennifer Tacker and husband Scott, Rebecca Barton and husband Craig, William Matus, Keith Henry, Kelly Henry and wife Dawn, and Kristi Hiland and husband Gary; twelve great grandchildren, Alex, Thomas, Max, Christian, Charlie, Gabe, Sawyer, Lauren, Madison, Tanner, Zach, and Shawn; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Keith Henry, Kelly Henry, Brian Matus, William Matus, Craig Barton, and Scott Tacker. Honorary pallbearers are grandchildren and great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Infant of Prague Memorial Prayer Garden in West.