Guest Book WEST FRANKFORT -- Gale B. Matelic, 73, passed away Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at home. He was born Oct. 8, 1939, to John and Clara (Sedlich) Matelic. Gale was a career Army officer. He began his military career in 1957 as an Illinois National Guardsman until he enlisted for active duty in the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Okinawa, Philippines, Panama and stateside. He was seriously wounded in action and spent 14 months in the hospital. He was awarded the following decorations, medals, badges and citations: two bronze medals w/v device; two purple hearts; meritorious service medal (two OLC); Army commendation medal (one OLC); presidential unit citation, meritorious unit commendation, national defense service medal; Vietnam service medal; Vietnam campaign medal w/60 device; Vietnamese cross of gallantry w/palm; combat infantryman badge; parachute badge; expert infantry badge; Vietnam jump wings; Thailand jump wings; Philippine jump wings; Armed Forces reserve medal; Army service ribbon; and overseas service ribbon. He also received a special commendation from a private Chinese Army in Vietnam. Gale graduated from Frankfort Community High School, Class of 1958. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science and business from Chaminade College while stationed in Oahu, Hawaii. He was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Moose Lodge. He also was a lifetime member of VFW Post 5764 and a member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Gale served as West Frankfort Merit Board secretary for 10 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for Bend of the Rivers, Relay For Life, numerous fishing and bass clubs and other civic organizations. Survivors include his wife, Judy (Baker) Matelic, stepchildren, Wes (Laurie) Taylor and Terri Taylor, grandchildren, Ryan Taylor, Kassie (Kaleb) Johnson, Caitlin (Luke) Cash, Ben Burroughs and Payton Taylor; and great-grandson, Aiden Taylor, all of West Frankfort. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tony and Helen Matelic; parents, John and Clara Matelic; and an older brother, Frank Matelic. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in St. John the Baptist Church in West Frankfort with Father Sean Palas officiating. Military rites will be conducted at a later date with interment in St. John's Catholic Cemetery in West Frankfort. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic School in West Frankfort. Envelopes will be available and accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences of sympathy may be made at www.unionfh.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan from February 24 to February 25, 2013