Kenneth J. Mattie

Kenneth Mattie
April 30, 1937 - December 3, 2022
Kenneth John Melvin Mattie, husband to Barbara, father to Cheryl LoFaso (Vincent), Doreen Campbell (Stephen), Leslie Mattie Rich (William) and Joshua Mattie (Kelsey Nihiser); grandfather to Jennifer White (David), Patrick, Anna, and Naomi Campbell, Liam and Theodore Rich; great grandfather to Parker and Peyton White; beloved son of the late Lester & Ruth Mattie; and Uncle to Brian (Michele), Jeff, Troy & Trey Toelke. Kenneth passed away on December 3rd, 2022 at the age of 85.
Ken loved his family dearly, and was deeply invested in the community of Westwood. He graduated from Western Hills High School in 1955 and Moler Barber College in 1957. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Everyone knew and loved visiting "Ken the Barber". He kept his neighbors in Westwood looking sharp for over six decades, apprenticing under Fred "Fritz" Heimerding, whom he thought of as a father. He took the barbershop over from Fred in 1968 and in 1974 he formally purchased the shop on Harrison Avenue, naming it Ken's Barber Service. Many Westsiders sat in Ken's chair for their first haircut. He dedicated his life to serving others; even visiting nursing homes to give free-of-charge haircuts to those who could no longer visit the shop in person. He loved ice cream and would often bring sundaes to the teachers at the nearby Grace Lutheran School. Ken's faith motivated him to serve others. He was an elder, Sunday school teacher, lector, and Cub Scout leader at Grace Lutheran Church. He also volunteered in The Shop at the School for Creative and Performing Arts while his children attended middle school and high school. Ken enjoyed the outdoors, bird watching, The Mighty Wurlitzer Hour, old radio shows, complaining about the Cincinnati Reds, whistling, dressing well, telling a good joke, and taking the long way home.
Family, friends and the community he served are invited to a visitation Friday, December 9th from 5-7pm at Neidhard-Minges Funeral Home (3155 Harrison Avenue, 45211). A formal funeral service with military honors will be held on Saturday, December 10th, at 10am at Grace Lutheran Church (3628 Boudinot Avenue, 45211). Burial at Vine St. Hill Cemetery will be on Monday.
Ken's family invites all who wish to continue celebrating his life to join them at Grace Lutheran for a luncheon, light refreshments and dessert (Ken's favorite meal) immediately following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to Hospice of Cincinnati, PO Box 633597, Cinti., OH 45263, Grace Lutheran Church, or to the Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC), PO Box 112162, Cinti., OH 45211 to continue supporting the community he loved.