Matthew F. Gerspacher

Matthew Gerspacher passed away on Feb. 3 in the presence of his family. He was born on May 15, 1925 in Sublimity, Ore. where he grew up on a family farm with his parents and five siblings.
After graduating from high school, Matt was drafted into the Army. He served at various posts in the Pacific Theater until the end of WWII.
After the war, Matt and his brother Anthony were long-haul truck drivers, moving cars from the East Coast to the West for a couple of years. In 1962, Matt and Anthony formed Gerspacher Brothers Logging. They continued to run the company and work in the woods until retiring in 2003.
Matt was an active member of the Catholic Church. He was an usher, reader, Eucharistic minister, and Knights of Columbus and Legion of Mary member.
He was a devoted family man, loving husband and father. His favorite role in life was being a grandpa.
After retiring, Matt continued to attend church almost every daybefore spending several hours tending his garden. His garden produced so much that he donated the extra fruit and vegetables. If you happened to stop by for a visit, he would send you home with more than you could eat.
His brothers Joseph and Frank, and his sister Mary Williams preceded Matt in death.
Matt will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife Ritta, his sons: Matthew (Rosalind), Michael and Marcus; his grandchildren: Anthony, Matthew, Christopher, Amber, Nicole and Heather; his brothers: Anthony (Feodora) and George (Margie), and his sister-in-law Lucy Gerspacher.
A rosary and vigil will be held at 7 pm on Friday, Feb. 8 at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Paradise. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11a.m. at St. Thomas Moore, with the reception following.