Matthew Francis Wiherle



Matthew Francis Wiherle, 92, of Havre de Grace, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2009. He was born in Weston, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1916 to Matthew and Barbara Skoff Wiherle, both born in Austria. He is predeceased by his older sisters Teresa Wersinger and Hildegard Lebonate; and younger siblings, Lewis Wiherle, Reynold Wiherle, and Winifred Radtke.

In 1937 he joined the United States Army Air Corps and served in World War II as a Master Sergeant. Four years of his service were in England. After an honorable discharge in Baltimore, MD, he served as a translator for the US to German POWs held at Camp Holabird. In Rosedale, MD, he met his bride of 62 years, Fernglen Carper Wiherle, a young neighbor of his sister. They were married September 7, 1946. After the war he was employed by Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point as a Foreman for 32 years.

In 1957, Matthew and Fernglen moved their family from Baltimore to a farm in Level, MD. There he kept his famous yellow plane, a Piper Cub, in which he and Fernglen had some harrowing adventures. His call sign was W3MMA when he was active in Amateur Radio Operating. He spoke seven languages and would communicate with people all over the world. He was a former member of the Toastmasters of Bel Air and he and Fernglen enjoyed square-dancing for many years. He loved music and played the guitar, harmonica and zither. For a few years he would meet his friends at the American Legion for breakfast and they would play golf at Perry Point. In recent years, he enjoyed watching baseball, reading, and time spent with family. As long as he was able, he would fly his American flag in his front yard.

He is survived by his wife, Fernglen, and their children, Matthew Glen and his wife Barbara Snodgrass Wiherle of Havre de Grace; and Maxine Blair Harris and her husband Ronald Harris of Port Deposit. He was "Pop Pop" to Heidi Pensell, her husband Garrett and their children, Julie, Henry and Ella; Jocelyn Greimel, her husband Kent, and their daughter Meghan; and Matthew Blair Wiherle and his wife Kate McMahon Wiherle. He was "Pap Pap" to Anna Wise, her husband Christopher, and their children, Victoria and Hunter; Elizabeth Roark and her husband Jamie; Matthew Joseph Harris, his wife, Heidi Ball Harris, and their children Julianna, Etta, Grant, and baby due in September; and Joseph Benjamin Harris. He is also survived by nieces and nephews and good neighbor friends.

Family and friends may gather at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 615 Congress Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD, at 10 am on Thursday, April 2, 2009. A funeral mass will follow at 11 AM. Fr. William J. O'Brien will officiate.