Obituary of William Mattern

William (Bill) Vernon Mattern, born May 31, 1925, in Mifflin County, PA, to Palmer J. Mattern and Erma Margaret (Daubert) Mattern, died from heart complications at his home in Bellefonte on April 30, 2017. Preceding him in death were sister Hazel Sunderland and brothers Palmer, Donald, and Harold Mattern. His sisters Shirley Laub, Beverly McCalips, and Dolli Stutor survive him.

With Mildred Elizabeth Stine, his wife of 72 years, he raised three sons. Daniel, A. Rex, and Ronald, along with their spouses Madeline, Janie, and Linda, all survive him. Also, surviving him are grandchildren Drew Mattern of Mt. Lebanon, PA; Ryan Mattern of Fairfax, VA, Shannon Mattern of New York, NY; Nathan Mattern and his wife Joy, both of Bellefonte; and Renee Gardner-Leiter of Lemont, PA; great-grandchildren Natalie and Evan Mattern of Bellefonte; and many nieces and nephews. All fondly recall his gift for storytelling and conversation, his wit and curiosity, his colorful idioms (“for crying in a bucket” was a common exclamation of astonishment), and his characteristic whistle (the first few bars of “You Belong to Me”).

Bill served as Director of Manufacturing at Cerro Metal Products until 1976, when he and Martin L. London founded Triangle Building Supplies & Services, Inc., on South Potter Street in Bellefonte. In 1980, the company expanded to its present location on East Bishop Street. His sons assumed control of the business, then sold it in 2014.

A member of the United States Army Air Force from 1943 to 1946, Bill later graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte, the Bellefonte Area School Board, and the Masons, as well as a Cub Scout master in Pleasant Gap.

His hobbies and interests included hunting and fishing, gardening, traveling, reading, genealogical studies, photography, and politics. He also maintained a great respect for and frequently associated with the local Amish community. With his wife, he enjoyed escaping the cold Northeastern winters to sunny Fort Meyers Beach, FL; and he made frequent local visits to the chestnut-log cabin he built in the early 1950s, with the help of his brothers-in-law, in the Seven Mountains.

A public memorial service will be held at Faith United Methodist Church, 512 Hughes Street in Bellefonte on Thursday, May 4, at 11am with Rev. Andrew Morgan officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 and Faith Church 512 Hughes Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service Inc. in Bellefonte.