Matthew A. Benz

Matthew A. Benz, 82, of South Heidelberg Township, died December 31, 2008 at 4:25 am in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center.

He was married July 3, 1948 to Pauline Anna (Wummer) Benz.

Born May 25, 1926 in Trier, Germany, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Catherine (Hoffman) Benz.

He was a 1944 graduate of Wilson High School.

Matthew was employed 38 years with DANA Corporation, Reading, last working in material analysis before retiring in 1986.

He was an active member of the DANA retirees, serving as their trip coordinator.

Matthew was an Army Veteran.

He is also survived by a daughter, Rebecca Ann (Benz), wife of Eric A. Lutz of South Heidelberg Township.

Other survivors include two granddaughters: Abigail R. Lutz and Christina M. Lutz.

Matthew was predeceased by a son, Martin Allen Benz, who died July 19, 2004 and by a brother, Rudolph George Benz.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:00 am in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 8th Ave. and Franklin Street, West Reading. Viewings will be held Monday 6:30 - 8:00 pm and Tuesday 9:00 -9:30 am in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township.

Contributions may be made to St. John's Hospice, 1221 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19107-1694 or American Cancer Society, PO Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454. For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com