Matilde "Matt" DeLeon, Jr., 78, of Kenosha, died on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at Aurora Medical Center.

Born in San Benito, TX on May 29, 1933, he was the son of the late Matilde and Tomasita (Pequeno) DeLeon.

Matt was a graduate of San Benito High School. Before moving to Kenosha, Matt was employed as a Deputy Sheriff for the Moriarty, Torrance County, New Mexico Sheriff's Department.

On Nov. 23, 1963, in Park Ridge, Ill., he was united in marriage to Sarah "Sandy" Johnson. They moved to Kenosha and made it their new home. Next month they were looking forward to celebrating their 48th anniversary.

He was a machinist and was employed with Eaton Dynamatic Company. He was on Dynamatic's Certified Union Council.

After arriving to Kenosha, Matt attended Gateway Technical College. He was a member of the Kenosha Moose Lodge #286 since 1973. Matt was also a member of the IAMAW Lodge #34 and was the Civil Service Commissioner of Kenosha.

Matt enjoyed bowling, cheering on the Packers and being with his German Shepard, Cody. He dedicated his life to his family and loved spending time with them.

His life will be remembered by his wife, Sandy; his eight children, Arnold (Mary) of San Benito, TX, Robert of Wild Rose, Wis., Ismael (Karina) of Tucson, Ariz., and Joseph DeLeon of Kenosha; Norma Ramon of San Benito, TX, Terri (Manuel) Villarrel of Santa Maria, TX, Rosaenna DeLeon of South Padre Island, TX and Mona Lisa DeLeon of Kenosha; two sisters, Magdalena Cisneros and Rosalinda (Lupe) Gorena; 24 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews and brothers-in-law, Ken (Joyce) Johnson and Robert (Patricia) Johnson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Jose Ismael DeLeon; and two sisters, Herminia Gonzales Green and Odelia Villarreal.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. when Moose Lodge #286 will conclude the visitation with the Breaking of the Circle Service.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Joe Garretto, Seasons Hospice and the ALS Clinic at Froedtert Memorial Hospital for the love and compassion given to Matt in his final days. They would also like to give a special thanks to their many friends including Jan and Al Kraemer, Patsy and Bob Dye, Bob Tolefree, Larry and Paulette Matalas, Kenosha Moose Lodge and Dynamatic for the love and compassion given to them during this difficult time.