Gilbert Albert Matchinske, 78, of Engadine, passed away Friday morning, December 4, 2009, at his home. He was ill with lung cancer for many years.

Born May 27, 1931, in Chicago, he was the son of Charles and Anna (nee Fillman) Matchinski.

Mr. Matchinske was an eightyear veteran of the United States Navy, serving during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1959. He was employed as a truck driver for several years until his retirement. He loved to travel and was a member of VFW Post 8372 in Engadine.

He married Rose Matchinske Collins in August 1950. He later married Doreen Patzer.

He is survived by his children and their families, Janice and Richard Winnick of Ann Arbor and Pamela and Gary Laning of Schoolcraft; a daughter-in-law, Jeanne Matchinske of Charleston, North Carolina; six grandchildren and their families, Dawn Matchinske, Amie and Jeffrey Branch, Deanna and Jeremy Loebeck, Christopher and Cary Hatch, Bradley and Sarah Laning, Ethan Laning; six great-grandchildren, Michael Matchinske, Elizabeth Branch, Alyson Loebeck, Vern Loebeck, Maddison Laning, and Cole Loebeck; a brother, Robert, of Engadine; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Matchinske of Engadine; a brother-in-law, Ronald Belka of Florida, and a special friend, Rose Biber.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Matchinske was preceded in death by his wife, Doreen; a son, Lester, and three brothers, Alfred, Lester, and Melvin.

Services will be Saturday, December 12, at 1 p.m. at Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry with Pastor Arthur Bode of Bethlehem Lutheran Church officiating. Burial with military honors will take place in the spring at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Doreen Patzer Scholarship Fund in care of the Tahquamenon Area Credit Union, N6747 M-117, Engadine, Michigan 49827.