Fr. Erwin H. Matt

Fr. Erwin H. Matt obituary

Fr. Erwin H. Matt

Upcoming Events

Sep

26

Visitation

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Clement Manor Chapel

3939 S. 92nd St., Greenfield, WI 53228

Send Flowers

Sep

26

Service

10:30 a.m.

Clement Manor Chapel

3939 S. 92nd St., Greenfield, WI 53228

Send Flowers

Only 1 day left for delivery to next service.

Erwin Matt Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Schramka Funeral Home - Brookfield on Sep. 22, 2025.

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Born on April 1, 1927, in Milwaukee, WI and died on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the age of 98. Father began his priestly formation at Marquette University from 1947 – 1949 and St. Francis Major Seminary from 1950 – 1956. Father was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Albert G. Meyer on May 26, 1956, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee.

Father Matt was first assigned Assistant at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Sheboygan on June 26, 1956. He was appointed to the Faculty of Saint Francis Minor Seminary in St. Francis on June 21, 1957. On June 19, 1979, he was assigned as Associate Pastor at St. John Kanty Parish in Milwaukee. Father was assigned as Shared Pastor at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Fredonia and Mission of Mother of Sorrows Parish in Little Kohler on September 2, 1980. On October 7, 1980, he was appointed Chaplain at Notre Dame Health Care Centers in Elm Grove. He retired from active ministry on June 20, 1995. Father Matt's ministry primarily entailed being a teacher and spiritual counselor at Saint Francis Minor Seminary and ministry as a chaplain for the Sisters of Notre Dame in Elm Grove.

A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for Father Matt will be celebrated at Clement Manor Chapel, 3939 S. 92 nd Street, Greenfield on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Priest friends and former colleagues are invited to concelebrate; please bring an alb and white stole. Visitation will be held at Clement Manor Chapel, on September 26, from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7301 W. Nash Street, Milwaukee following the funeral Mass.

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Yesterday

Dan Konkol posted to the memorial.

Yesterday

Ed Krall posted to the memorial.

Yesterday

Mark posted to the memorial.

6 Entries

Dan Konkol

Yesterday

At Mass, Fr. Matt was an example of deep piety for Our Lord. In the classroom he was a whimsical teacher instilling an appreciation of English literature and theater. As counsellor he was always available and insightful. His influence will continue into the future.

Ed Krall

Yesterday

Fr. Matt had a rapier wit. He used to affectionately call us high school sophomores, "Nards". And he was an inspirational English teacher who gave me a lifelong love of poetry. I always looked forward to his stories about the poets like Keats and Byron and Shelley. It was like he knew them personally. "Death be not proud." Fr Matt will always live on in my memory.
Ed Krall

Mark

Yesterday

I had Father Matt for English at De Sales. He really did a good job of teaching a group of high school boys (always a challenge). If you were screwing around in class, he would call you a "Nard". I finally found out that a "Nard" refers to spikenard, a valuable aromatic essential oil and plant from the Himalayas used for perfume, medicine, and in religious ceremonies. Later in my career as an Engineer, I discovered how valuable the ability to communicate was. Much of that come from Father Matt.
I was in several plays at DeSales, and in "The Mouse That Roared", we had girls from Alverno acting with us. Father Matt did our stage makeup was very understanding when I wanted him to make my sideburns longer.
I guess I though that would make me look better to the girls. I'm really glad I have a few things from High School at DeSales to look back on.

Mike Franzen

September 22, 2025

Rest in peace my dear friend. I was one of your students at St. Francis de Sales seminary. De Sales was one of the greatest four years of my education. You were a constant reminder of God's presence on earth. I will miss you Fr. Matt. Rest easy in God's arms.

George Grimm

September 22, 2025

Fr. Matt was my English teacher, in high school and my spiritual director in college at De Sales Preparatory Seminary. I really did like him!

Alan Wisniewski

September 22, 2025

The finest priest that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I served as an altar boy for Father Matt when I was in grade school and sat in his English class when I was in the seminary high school. In 2019, he wrote, "As I plunge more deeply into my 90's, I grow more and more feeble. To hold a pen is almost beyond me. But I am content and full of joy. God love you." May he rest in peace.

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Upcoming Events

Sep

26

Visitation

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Clement Manor Chapel

3939 S. 92nd St., Greenfield, WI 53228

Send Flowers

Sep

26

Service

10:30 a.m.

Clement Manor Chapel

3939 S. 92nd St., Greenfield, WI 53228

Send Flowers

Only 1 day left for delivery to next service.