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Larry Matysik Obituary

Larry Matysik Larry G. Matysik, 71, of Belleville, IL, born April 26, 1947, in Belleville, IL, and died Sunday, November 25, 2018. Larry attended Henry Raab Elementary School, Central Junior High, and Belleville Township High School (now Belleville West). He continued his education at Belleville Area College (SWIC), Mizzou, and SIU-Edwardsville (where he majored in Professional Writing and minored in Journalism). Larry is well known as the voice of Wrestling at the Chase from 1972 to 1982. After that, he was involved in his own wrestling promotion (Greater St. Louis Wrestling) and worked for the WWE for ten years. Recently he was involved in local wrestling promotions, notably SICW with Herb Simmons. He wrote five books on wrestling and had been working on books six and seven for the past year. Wrestling was not his only love. For many years he was the Committee Chairman for the Elks/Multiple Sclerosis Sports Celebrity Dinner held at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, where he worked with Jack Buck and Bob Costas. He was also involved in area youth sports. He was on the Board of Directors for the Gateway Region of USA Volleyball and founded and managed his own volleyball club, Belleville Momentum. In 2002, he received the Robert L. Lindsey Meritorious Service Award for "outstanding participation, motivation, and other services in the promotion of volleyball." Likewise, he was coach of The Renegades, a girls' softball team that played in both Illinois and Missouri. Besides sports, Larry was active in a variety of other areas. He was a ham radio operator and worked with the St. Clair County/Belleville Emergency Services and Disaster Agency. He was head of the Belleville Auxiliary Police for a number of years as well. Over the years, he received many honors both in and out of sports. The City of Belleville honored him for "25 years of service and dedication" to communication for the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency from 1958 to 1983. St. Clair County Civil Defense recognized him for his volunteer services in Radio Communication. In 1983, then Mayor Richard Brauer issued a Proclamation citing Larry as "an outstanding citizen of Belleville" and one who "has brought great credit to himself and the city of Belleville." Likewise, he was honored by the City of Belleville and the Belleville Police for "his loyal and dedicated service and devotion from 1968 to 2007." In 1977 and 1978, Larry was named "TV Commentator of the Year" by "The Squared Circle." In 2007, he was inducted into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and was honored with the prestigious "Jim Melby Award for Excellence in Writing on Professional Wrestling." His most recent honor came on May 17 this year when County Board Chairman Mark Kern proclaimed it "Larry Matysik Day in St. Clair County." He was preceded in death by his mother, Corrine Matysik (nee Nolte), his father, Edwin Matysik; and his father-in-law Arthur Mattingley. Larry is survived by his wife Pat (nee Mattingley); daughter, Kelly (Charles Holmes); mother-in-law, Rita Mattingley (nee Franke); brother-in-law, Dennis Mattingly (Kathryn); as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com. Visitation: An informal celebration of Larry's life will be held at George Renner and Sons Funeral Home in Belleville from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, 2018.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Belleville News-Democrat on Nov. 29, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
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Terry Lynn Schau Schuchman

December 23, 2018

Dear Pat and Kelly, so very sorry for your loss. No one can know until they have experienced it. What a wonderful life you and Larry had. You were so blessed. All love, prayers and blessings. Your friend and classmate . . . Terry Lynn Schau Schuchman

Sarah Gruenewald

December 4, 2018

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. The world has lost a bright star.

DAVE PHILLIPS

December 1, 2018

My condolences to the Matysik family at this most difficult time..

I knew LARRY thru his work and effort to make the Elks Dinner such a SPECIAL' sports Dinner.

Larry was very well respected by so many with such a helpful personality to always make everyone feel comfortable...

The Sports community will miss his strong leadership and presence.

Dave Phillips
MLB Umpire

November 30, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

November 30, 2018

Pat, so sorry to hear that Larry has passed. Prayers to you and your family
Gene and Joyce MAURER

Dale Fillback

November 29, 2018

Dear Pat and Kelly: I was saddened to have read of Larry's having passed away. My condolences to your Family!!! I met Larry back in 1978 and as time goes by we would constantly cross paths!! The Girls Softball Teams in Khoury League, and High School Softball Teams for Our Daughters!!! From Wrestling at Kiel Auditorium to the Fields of Khoury League in Fairview Heights and Belleville it has been my pleasure to tell people that I knew Larry, Pat, and Kelly Matysik and they are really nice people!!!

BRUCE GRUMMERT

November 28, 2018

YES,when I heard of Larry"s passing I, was totally in shock. Friends, & I have made many trips to St Louis. @ The Kiel Auditorium, saw many great wrestling matches Today,I, had awesome Wrestling Memories today it"s nothing like when I, was growing up. I, never met Larry, heard from friends about him I sure wish I, could have met him & Sam Muchnick.
Thank, for the Memories of Wrestling from The Kiel Auditorium
RIP

Erin Kincy

November 28, 2018

Dear Larry, you will be deeply missed. It was such a pleasure knowing you. I remember coming to your book signing several years ago and you remembered me, I was happy you did. You were always so friendly and nice. You treated me, my sister and our dear friend Connie with such kindness. You were Wrestling at the Chase, a great announcer and promoter. We love you Larry and we will miss you. Love Erin the Granite City Girl..

Lisa Baker

November 27, 2018

Mr. Matysik,
Thank u for sharing ur love of wrestling with so many fans from the St. Louis area. Thank u for bringing great matches to KPLR. Growing up my sister and I came to the Kiel, and attended many tapings as well as wrestling matches.
We fondly remember u calling us the Granite City Girls.
U were always so kind to us! We will always remember the true wrestlers and how wrestling of days gone by will always be missed.
May God bless your family,
May all the blessing of your life and legacy be with them always.
We remain,
U Granite City Fans!

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Memorial Events
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Celebration of Life

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Renner Funeral Homes - Belleville

120 North Illinois Street, Belleville, IL 62220

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Renner Funeral Homes - Belleville

120 North Illinois Street, Belleville, IL 62220

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