Aemil "Birdie" Jerry Matalik

Aemil "Birdie" Jerry Matalik, 92, of Burgettstown, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday evening, June 18, 2025 surrounded by his family.

He was born on July 20, 1932 in Burgettstown a son of the late George and Helen Stefura Matalik.

A 1950 graduate of the Union High School in Burgettstown, he served in the United States Army from February 1953 to December 1954 during the Korean War. He retired from J&L Steel in Aliquippa where he worked in the tin mill.

Very active in his community, he was a member of the Slovenian Club where he ran the bowling alley for 15 years, the Burgettstown V.F.W and Italian Club where he played bocci, and the Knights of Columbus Council 3440 and the St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Avella. He enjoyed playing and watching Langeloth fast pitch softball where he was a founding member of the league, golfing, bowling, dartball, coaching baseball and doing the crosswords.

His wife, Barbara Krynak Matalik, who he married on April 12, 1969 passed away on July 2, 2009.

He is survived by his three children Christopher Matalik of Burgettstown, Edward Matalik of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Maria Fletcher and husband John of Mt. Pleasant, SC; four grandchildren Caleb and Cienna Matalik, and Alison and Tyler Fletcher; a brother Robert Matalik and wife Freddie of Burgettstown; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased in addition to his parents and wife are five brothers George, Charles, Joseph, James and Thomas Matalik; and two sisters Helen Knauss and Margaret Castner.

Family and friends will be received from 12:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday June 22, 2025 in Slater Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. of Burgettstown, 73 Highland Avenue, Burgettstown, PA 15021. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Fr. Brian Norrell will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday June 23, 2025 in St. John the Byzantine Catholic Church, 176 Cross Creek Road, Avella, PA 15312. He will be laid to rest with full military honors in the Grandview Cemetery, Florence.

Those wishing to remember Mr. Matalik in a special way can make a memorial donation in his memory to St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church.