Harry Matlin

Harry Allen Matlin, 88, of Ellensburg, passed away on December 11, 2017 at the KVH Hospital. Viewing will be from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 17 at the Steward & Williams Chapel. The memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 18 at the Ellensburg First United Methodist Church with Pastor Jen Stuart officiating. Private family burial will take place at the IOOF Cemetery.

Harry was born on September 25, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio to Morris & Rose (Litchenfeld) Matlin. After high school, Harry served in the United States Air Force in both the Panama Canal Zone and Korea. He earned his degree in Metallurigcal Engineering from Ohio State University and was also the OSU Heavy Weight Lifting Champion for four years. He maintained a love for weight lifting his entire life. Harry worked in the steel industry as a technical representative in Chicago, Illinois before retiring to Ellensburg with his wife Kathy in 2003.

He became involved with the Singing Hills Chorus and tutored kids in chess at Morgan Middle School as well as at the Lincoln and Mt. Stuart elementary schools. Harry had a great love for chess and greatly enjoyed his time passing his knowledge of the game to younger generations. He also loved to sing and participated in the local barbershop quartets wherever he lived. Harry and Kathy also served as a host family for students from Belarus who were in the Children of Chernobyl program. They hosted 16 young people over the years. Every spring since 2006, they traveled to Belarus to help select the next group of students for the program. Harry was well known for his hugs and loved to make people laugh with his jokes. He was generous, kind and always thinking of others. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Harry is survived by his wife, Kathy Matlin, at the family home in Ellensburg; daughters Mary Elkins and Cheryl Capos; his step daughter Kendall Postema; grandchildren Kevin and Stephanie Morenz, Jeannie and Janel Campos and Isaac Postema, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions in Harry's honor are suggested to the Ellensburg First United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church USA Disaster Relief Fund or to Kittitas County Habitat for Humanity. Steward & Williams Funeral Home & Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Harry's family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.steward-williams.com