Mathias C. “Mat” Rochel, 98, of Seneca, Kansas, died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at Country View Estates Care Home in Seneca.

He was born February 15, 1905, on a farm west of Seneca, the son of Frank and Mary Schmitt Rochel. He grew up there and attended Sts. Peter & Paul School. When he was 16 years old, his father was killed by a team of runaway mules. Mat and his twin brother, Edwin, kept the family farm going.

On June 20, 1933, he married Mary E. Hutton at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. She survives of the home in Seneca. They lived in Seneca and in their present home for over 60 years. Mat worked for H.B. Skinner at Paramount Cleaners, and in the early 1930s Mat and Mary purchased this dry cleaning establishment, which they continued to call Paramount Cleaners. They owned and operated the business together for many years until they sold it in the 1980s. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, their 65th anniversary and would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year.

Mat was preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn R. Tangeman, on September 11, 2000; his twin brother Edwin and his sister Rose Gress.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church and the St. Joseph Society at the church, and the Knights of Columbus #1769.

Mat was a well liked and well known character about town. He was a key booster of Seneca over the years, being a longtime influential member of the Seneca Chamber of Commerce, with a business on Main Street in the heart of downtown. He was also a proponent of Lake Nemaha south of Seneca, where he built a cabin of unique cedar construction and was a charter member of the Lion’s Club, which located its clubhouse at the lake next to Mat and Mary’s cabin. Mat is also famous for his meticulous groundswork and redesign projects at his wife Mary’s family home on Highway 63 south of Seneca. They maintained this picturesque site, set in a unique spot along a steep grade, as a second home to entertain friends. The grounds included a fishing pond, a stream with a bridge, and a white fence that always seemed to be freshly painted. People driving along Highway 63 would often see Mat out there keeping up the grounds to perfection, and of course he would always wave.

As a 33 year member of the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department, Mat was also responsible for initiating the restoration of Seneca’s venerable 1922 Stutz firetruck, which is now a town keepsake and showpiece. Mat’s other projects included restoration of a roadster sports car and collecting and refinishing antiques.

Survivors besides his wife Mary are three grandchildren.

The rosary was prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Friday at 2 P.M. by the Knights of Columbus and 7 P.M. by the parish. The mass of Christian burial was offered at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, April 12, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial was in the church cemetery. The 1922 Stutz firetruck was included in the funeral procession from the funeral home to the church to the cemetery (click on photo at above left). Mat’s fireman’s hat was placed atop the casket for the procession. At the end of the graveside service, Fire Chief Jerry Stallbaumer presented the fire hat to the family, thanking them for Mat’s 33 years of service. Firemen clanged the bell on the Stutz as a final salute.

Memorials may be given for Sts. Peter & Paul School Building Fund or the Seneca Fire Department Museum Fund, and sent in care of the family.