Matthew Scheffler, age 84
Matthew G. Scheffler, age 84, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2017 at the VA in Minneapolis, MN surrounded by his family. He was born February 21, 1933, in Spring Lake Township, Prior Lake, MN to George and Anna Jacques Scheffler.
Survived by loving wife of 60 years Charlene; children, Judy (Jeff) Olson, Duane (Jeanne) Scheffler, Connie (Jerry Ratzlaff) Empey, LaVonne (Kevin) Paur, Dale (Tammy) Scheffler, and Dominic Scheffler; grandchildren, Amy (Adam) Paulson, Tracy (Ryan) Plonsky, Chris and Eric Empey, Alex and Max Scheffler, Matthew A., Faith and Grace Scheffler, great-grandchildren, Grayson and Miller Plonsky; siblings, Joe (Evelyn) Scheffler, Ralph (Patricia) Scheffler and Sr. Mary Lucy Scheffler OFM. Proceeded in death by parents, George & Anna Scheffler; brothers Alton, Edward, and Leo Scheffler and sisters, Mary Karl, Florence McCarthy, Margaret Stans, Louise Jaruszewski, Mildred Hauer, and Joseph and Anna Scheffler who died in infancy.
He attended New Prague High School and the University Farm School, St. Paul, MN. Matthew G. Scheffler served in the US Navy, during the Korean War on a submarine, and the ship USS Neu 818, a destroyer escort for aircraft carriers as an electrician. He served in the Mediterranean area, Northern Europe, Scotland, Cuba, Haiti and Panama Canal as well as in the United States. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Occupation (European Clasp), and Good Conduct Medal (First Award). Honorable Discharge November, 1959. He was a chauffeur for Vice President Nixon when Nixon visited the Panama Canal.
November 9, 1957 he married Fidelis Charlene Schmitz at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Prior Lake, MN. He was employed by the Shakopee Foundry before enlisting in the Navy. After he was discharged from the Navy, he was employed by Minneapolis Moline and White Lift Truck, Hopkins, MN as a sheet metal worker and assembler and farmed. Matt was Lifetime member of the Prior Lake VFW Post 6208. Matt enjoyed reading, gardening, fishing, putzing in his shop and family trips. He traveled extensively while in the Navy and when retired. He returned to Panama on a cruise where he was stationed. They resided in Cedar Lake Township, St. Patrick, and retired to Lake Tetonka, Waterville, MN. They returned to Elko New Market area and resided at Highview Hills in Lakeville.
A gathering of relatives and friends was Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 from 5-8 PM at White Funeral Home, 20134 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville, MN. Visitation was Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 10 AM at All Saints Catholic Church, 19795 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville, MN., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 AM at Church. Internment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. Memorials preferred to the University of Minnesota Foundation for Diabetes Research and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul, MN 55101 in lieu of flowers. Many thanks to the VA Hospice kind and caring staff and all our relatives and friends. Matt’s last days were special.
White Funeral Home Lakeville 952-469-2723 whitefuneralhomes.com
